Thermostat user interface

ABSTRACT

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/351,688 filed onJan. 17, 2012 (Ref No. NES0175-US), which is a continuation-in-part ofPCT/US11/61437 filed Nov. 18, 2011 (Ref. No: NES0101-PCT), which claimedthe benefit of: U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/415,771 filed on Nov. 19, 2010(Ref. No: NES0037-PROV); U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed on Dec.31, 2010 (Ref. No: NES0037A-PROV); and U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996filed on Oct. 21, 2011 (Ref. No: NES0101-PROV).

U.S. Ser. No. 13/351,688 is further a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.No. 13/199,108 filed on Feb. 23, 2011 (Ref. No: NES0054-US), which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573 filed on Feb. 23, 2011(Ref. No: NES0016-US), which claims the benefit of: U.S. Prov. Ser. No.61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010 (Ref. No: NES0037-PROV) and U.S. Prov.Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed Dec. 31, 2010 (Ref. No: NES0037A-PROV).

U.S. Ser. No. 13/351,688 is further a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.No. 13/269,501 filed on Oct. 7, 2011 (Ref. No: NES0120-US), which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010 (Ref.No: NES0037PR) and of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed Dec. 31, 2010(Ref. No: NES0037A-PROV). U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573 filed Feb. 23, 2011(Ref. No: NES0016-US), which claims the benefit of: U.S. Prov. Ser. No.61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010 (Ref. No: NES0037-PROV) and U.S. Prov.Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed Dec. 31, 2010 (Ref. No: NES0037A-PROV).

Each of the above-listed applications is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

This patent specification relates to systems, methods, and relatedcomputer program products for the monitoring and control ofenergy-consuming systems or other resource-consuming systems. Moreparticularly, this patent specification relates to user interfaces forcontrol units that govern the operation of energy-consuming systems,household devices, or other resource-consuming systems, including userinterfaces for thermostats that govern the operation of heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

BACKGROUND

While substantial effort and attention continues toward the developmentof newer and more sustainable energy supplies, the conservation ofenergy by increased energy efficiency remains crucial to the world'senergy future. According to an October 2010 report from the U.S.Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 56% of the energyuse in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense formost homes. Along with improvements in the physical plant associatedwith home heating and cooling (e.g., improved insulation, higherefficiency furnaces), substantial increases in 5 energy efficiency canbe achieved by better control and regulation of home heating and coolingequipment. By activating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) equipment for judiciously selected time intervals and carefullychosen operating levels, substantial energy can be saved while at thesame time keeping the living space suitably comfortable for itsoccupants.

Some thermostats offer programming abilities that provide the potentialfor balancing user comfort and energy savings. However, users arefrequently intimidated by a dizzying array of switches and controls.Thus, the thermostat may frequently resort to default programs, therebyreducing user satisfaction and/or energy-saving opportunities.

SUMMARY

Provided according to some embodiments is programmable device, such as athermostat, for control of an HVAC system. Configurations and positionsof device components allow for the device to improve energy conservationand to simultaneously allow users to experience pleasant interactionswith the device (e.g., to set preferences). The device has an outer ringthat is rotatable, such that a user may circularly scroll throughselection options (e.g., corresponding to temperature setpoints). Forexample, a setpoint temperature may gradually increase as a user rotatesthe ring in a clockwise direction. Inward pressing of the outer ring mayalso allow a user to view an interactive menuing system. The user mayinteract with the menuing system via rotations and/or inward pressingsof the outer ring. Thus, the user may be provided with an intuitive andpowerful system in which a setpoint temperature and other thermostatoperational controls may be set.

In one embodiment the device comprises a passive infrared (PIR) motionsensor disposed inside a housing of the thermostat for sensing occupancyin the vicinity of the device. The PIR motion sensor has a radiationreceiving surface and is able to detect lateral movement of an occupantin front of the forward-facing surface of the housing. The devicefurther comprises a grille member having one or more openings andincluded along the forward-facing surface of the housing, the grillemember being placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIRmotion sensor. The grille member is configured and dimensioned tovisually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside thehousing, the visual concealment promoting a visually pleasing quality ofthe device, while at the same time permitting the PIR motion sensor toeffectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant. In oneembodiment, the grille member openings are slit-like openings orientedalong a substantially horizontal direction.

In one embodiment a temperature sensor is also positioned behind thegrille member, the temperature sensor also being visually concealedbehind the grille member. In one embodiment the grille member is formedfrom a thermally conductive material such as a metal, and thetemperature sensor is placed in thermal communication with the metallicgrille, such as by using a thermal paste or the like. Advantageously, inaddition to exposing the temperature sensor to ambient room air byvirtue of the grille openings, the metallic grille member can furtherimprove temperature sensing performance by acting as a sort of “thermalantenna” for the temperature sensor.

In some embodiments, a thermostat is provided. The thermostat mayinclude: a power source; a housing; one or more temperature sensorspositioned within the housing to measure an ambient air temperature; aring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotationalinput motion of a user; a processing system disposed within the housingand coupled to the one or more temperature sensors and to thering-shaped user interface component, the processing system beingconfigured to dynamically identify a setpoint temperature value based onthe tracked rotational input motion; an electronic display coupled tothe processing system and configured to dynamically display a digitalnumerical value representative of the identified setpoint temperaturevalue; and a plurality of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) wire connectors coupled to the processing system, the processingsystem being configured to send at least one control signal through theHVAC wire connectors to an HVAC system based at least in part on acomparison of the measured ambient temperature and the setpointtemperature value; wherein said ring-shaped user-interface component isfurther configured to be inwardly pressable by the user along adirection of an axis of rotation of the rotational input motion; whereinsaid processing system, said electronic display, and said ring-shapeduser interface component are collectively configured such that (i) aninteractive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by aninward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component, and (ii) auser navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system isachievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inwardpressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

In some embodiments, a method for control of an HVAC system by athermostat is provided. The thermostat may include: a housing, one ormore temperature sensors, a ring-shaped user-interface component, aprocessing system, an electronic display, and a plurality of HVAC wireconnectors. The method may include: measuring an ambient air temperatureusing the one or more temperature sensors; detecting and trackingrotational movements of the ring-shaped user-interface component totrack at least one rotational input motion of a user; dynamicallyidentifying a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotationalinput motion; dynamically displaying a digital numerical valuerepresentative of the identified setpoint temperature value on theelectronic display; sending at least one control signal through the HVACwire connectors to the HVAC system based at least in part on acomparison of the measured ambient air temperature and the setpointtemperature value; detecting an inward pressing of the ring-shapeduser-interface component by the user, the inward pressing being along adirection of an axis of rotation of said tracked rotational movements ofthe ring-shaped user-interface component; and responsive to saiddetected inward pressing of the ring-shaped user-interface component,providing the user with an interactive thermostat menuing system on saidelectronic display, comprising providing user navigation within theinteractive thermostat menuing system by virtue of respective rotationalinput motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interfacecomponent.

In some embodiments, a thermostat is provided. The thermostat mayinclude: a disk-like housing including a circular front face; anelectronic display centrally disposed on the front face; an annular ringmember disposed around the centrally disposed electronic display, saidannular ring member and said housing being mutually configured such that(i) said annular ring member is rotatable around a front-to-back axis ofthe thermostat, and (ii) said annular ring member is inwardly pressablealong a direction of the front-to-back axis; one or more temperaturesensors positioned within the housing to measure an ambient airtemperature; a processing system disposed within the housing and coupledto the one or more temperature sensors and to the annular ring member;said processing system being configured and programmed to dynamicallyalter a setpoint temperature value based on a user rotation of theannular ring member; said processing system being further configured andprogrammed to send at least one control signal to an HVAC system basedat least in part on a comparison of the measured ambient air temperatureand the setpoint temperature value; said processing system being furtherconfigured and programmed to provide an interactive thermostat menuingsystem on said electronic display responsive to an inward pressing ofthe annular ring member; said processing system being further configuredand programmed to provide user navigation within the interactivethermostat menuing system based on rotation of the annular ring memberby the user and inward pressing of the annular ring member by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing andcontrol unit (VSCU unit) according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit as it is being controlled by thehand of a user according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit as installed in a house having an HVACsystem and a set of control wires extending therefrom;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation ofthe outer ring along with an ensuing user interface display according toone embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrates a dynamic user interface for encouraging reducedenergy use according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates user adjustment of setpoint times based on rotationof the outer ring along with an ensuing user interface display accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 6A-6B illustrate example user interface screens on a user-friendlyprogrammable thermostat for making various settings, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 7A illustrates a data input functionality provided by the userinterface of the VSCU unit according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 7B-7C illustrate a similar data input functionality provided bythe user interface of the VSCU unit for answering various questionsduring the set up interview;

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a thermostat having a user-friendly interface,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shell portion of a frameof the thermostat of FIGS. 18A-B;

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a thermostat with respect to its two main components,which are the head unit and the back plate;

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit with respect to its primary components;

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly with respect to itsprimary components;

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the back plate unit with respect to its primarycomponents;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a partially assembled headunit front, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates a head-on view of the head unit circuit board,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of the back plate circuit board,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functionalsoftware, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unitmicroprocessor, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functionalsoftware, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the back platemicrocontroller, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 18A-18B illustrates infrared sources interacting with the slit-likeopenings in a grille member designed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate altering the openings of a grille member alonga vertical distance to change the sensitivity of a PIR motion sensor inaccordance with aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is flow chart diagram that outlines the operations associatedwith integrating sensor capabilities with a thermostat and grille memberin accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this patent specification relates to the subjectmatter of the following commonly assigned applications, each of which isincorporated by reference herein: U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430 filed Sep.14, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463 filed Sep. 14, 2010; U.S. Prov. Ser.No. 61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filedDec. 31, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/984,602 filed Jan. 4, 2011; U.S. Ser.No. 12/987,257 filed Jan. 10, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573 filed Feb.23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/386,021, filed Feb. 23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/034,666 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,674 filed Feb. 24,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,678 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/038,191 filed Mar. 1, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/038,206 filed Mar. 1,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,609 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,614 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,617 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,618 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,621 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,623 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,625 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,627 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,630 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,632 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/399,633 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,636 filed Aug. 16,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,637 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/199,108, filed Aug. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/267,871 filed Oct. 6,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/267,877 filed Oct. 6, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/269,501, filed Oct. 7, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,096 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,097 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/404,098 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,099 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,101 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.29/404,103 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,104 filed Oct. 14,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,105 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/275,307 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,311 filed Oct. 17,2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,423 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No.13/279,151 filed Oct. 21, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,557 filed Oct. 21,2011; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996 filed Oct. 21, 2011; PCT/US11/61339filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61344 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61365filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61379 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61391filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61479 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61457filed Nov. 18, 2011; and PCT/US11/61470 filed Nov. 18, 2011. Theabove-referenced patent applications are collectively referenced hereinas “the commonly assigned incorporated applications.”

Provided according to one or more embodiments are systems, methods,computer program products, and related business methods for controllingone or more HVAC systems based on one or more versatile sensing andcontrol units (VSCU units), each VSCU unit being configured and adaptedto provide sophisticated, customized, energy-saving HVAC controlfunctionality while at the same time being visually appealing,non-intimidating, elegant to behold, and delightfully easy to use. Theterm “thermostat” is used hereinbelow to represent a particular type ofVSCU unit (Versatile Sensing and Control)that is particularly applicablefor HVAC control in an enclosure. Although “thermostat” and “VSCU unit”may be seen as generally interchangeable for the contexts of HVACcontrol of an enclosure, it is within the scope of the present teachingsfor each of the embodiments hereinabove and hereinbelow to be applied toVSCU units having control functionality over measurable characteristicsother than temperature (e.g., pressure, flow rate, height, position,velocity, acceleration, capacity, power, loudness, brightness) for anyof a variety of different control systems involving the governance ofone or more measurable characteristics of one or more physical systems,and/or the governance of other energy or resource consuming systems suchas water usage systems, air usage systems, systems involving the usageof other natural resources, and systems involving the usage of variousother forms of energy. Each VSCU unit includes a user-interfacecomponent, such as a rotatable ring. Using the ring, a user can easilynavigate through and select between selection options (e.g., to set atemperature setpoint or identify preferences). For example, a user mayrotate a ring (e.g., in a clockwise direction); a processing system maydynamically identify a setpoint temperature value (e.g., higher than aprevious value) based on rotational input; an electronic display maydynamically display a digital numerical value representative of theidentified setpoint temperature value. Further, the user may be able toview and/or navigate through a menuing system using the ring. Forexample, a user input (e.g., inwards pressure on the ring) may result ina presentation of a menuing system on the display. A user may rotate thering to, e.g., scroll through selection options and select an option bypressing on the ring. Inwards pressure on the ring may cause a distinctsensory response (e.g., a clicking sound or feel) that may confirm tothe user that the selection has been made. In some instances, the ringis the primary or only user-input component within the VSCU. Thus, auser will not be intimidated by a large number of controls and will beable to easily understand how to interact with the unit.

Nevertheless, each VSCU unit may be advantageously provided with aselectively layered functionality, such that unsophisticated users areonly exposed to a simple user interface, but such that advanced userscan access and manipulate many different energy-saving and energytracking capabilities. For example, an advanced user may be able to seta plurality of time-dependent temperature setpoints (i.e., scheduledsetpoints) through thermostat interactions via the rotatable ring, whilean unsophisticated user may limit such interactions to only setseemingly or actually static setpoints. Importantly, even for the caseof unsophisticated users who are only exposed to the simple userinterface, the VSCU unit provides advanced energy-saving functionalitythat runs in the background, the VSCU unit quietly using multi-sensortechnology to “learn” about the home's heating and cooling environmentand optimizing the energy-saving settings accordingly.

The VSCU unit also “learns” about the users themselves through userinteractions with the device (e.g., via the rotatable ring) and/orthrough automatic learning of the users' preferences. For example, in acongenial “setup interview”, a user may respond to a few simplequestions (e.g., by rotating the rotatable ring to a position at which adesired response option is displayed). Multi-sensor technology may laterbe employed to detect user occupancy patterns (e.g., what times of daythey are home and away), and a user's control over set temperature onthe dial may be tracked over time. The multi-sensor technology isadvantageously hidden away inside the VSCU unit itself, thus avoidingthe hassle, complexity, and intimidation factors associated withmultiple external sensor-node units. On an ongoing basis, the VSCU unitprocesses the learned and sensed information according to one or moreadvanced control algorithms, and then automatically adjusts itsenvironmental control settings to optimize energy usage while at thesame time maintaining the living space at optimal levels according tothe learned occupancy patterns and comfort preferences of the user. Evenfurther, the VSCU unit is programmed to promote energy-saving behaviorin the users themselves by virtue of displaying, at judiciously selectedtimes on its visually appealing user interface, information thatencourages reduced energy usage, such as historical energy costperformance, forecasted energy costs, and even fun game-style displaysof congratulations and encouragement.

Advantageously, the selectively layered functionality of the VSCU unitallows it to be effective for a variety of different technologicalcircumstances in home and business environments, thereby making the sameVSCU unit readily saleable to a wide variety of customers. For simpleenvironments having no wireless home network or internet connectivity,the VSCU unit operates effectively in a standalone mode, being capableof learning and adapting to its environment based on multi-sensortechnology and user input, and optimizing HVAC settings accordingly.However, for environments that do indeed have home network or internetconnectivity, the VSCU unit can operate effectively in anetwork-connected mode to offer a rich variety of additionalcapabilities.

It is to be appreciated that while one or more embodiments is detailedherein for the context of a residential home, such as a single-familyhouse, the scope of the present teachings is not so limited, the presentteachings being likewise applicable, without limitation, to duplexes,townhomes, multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, officebuildings, industrial buildings, and more generally any living space orwork space having one or more HVAC systems. It is to be furtherappreciated that while the terms user, customer, installer, homeowner,occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person, and the like may beused to refer to the person or persons who are interacting with the VSCUunit or other device or user interface in the context of someparticularly advantageous situations described herein, these referencesare by no means to be considered as limiting the scope of the presentteachings with respect to the person or persons who are performing suchactions. Thus, for example, the terms user, customer, purchaser,installer, subscriber, and homeowner may often refer to the same personin the case of a single-family residential dwelling, because the head ofthe household is often the person who makes the purchasing decision,buys the unit, and installs and configures the unit, and is also one ofthe users of the unit and is a customer of the utility company and/orVSCU data service provider. However, in other scenarios, such as alandlord-tenant environment, the customer may be the landlord withrespect to purchasing the unit, the installer may be a local apartmentsupervisor, a first user may be the tenant, and a second user may againbe the landlord with respect to remote control functionality.Importantly, while the identity of the person performing the action maybe germane to a particular advantage provided by one or more of theembodiments—for example, the password-protected temperature governancefunctionality described further herein may be particularly advantageouswhere the landlord holds the sole password and can prevent energy wasteby the tenant—such identity should not be construed in the descriptionsthat follow as necessarily limiting the scope of the present teachingsto those particular individuals having those particular identities.

It is to be appreciated that although exemplary embodiments arepresented herein for the particular context of HVAC system control,there are a wide variety of other resource usage contexts for which theembodiments are readily applicable including, but not limited to, waterusage, air usage, the usage of other natural resources, and the usage ofother (i.e., non-HVAC-related) forms of energy, as would be apparent tothe skilled artisan in view of the present disclosure. Therefore, suchapplication of the embodiments in such other resource usage contexts isnot outside the scope of the present teachings.

As used herein, “setpoint” or “temperature setpoint” refers to a targettemperature setting of a temperature control system, such as one or moreof the VSCU units described herein, as set by a user or automaticallyaccording to a schedule. As would be readily appreciated by a personskilled in the art, many of the disclosed thermostatic functionalitiesdescribed hereinbelow apply, in counterpart application, to both theheating and cooling contexts, with the only different being in theparticular setpoints and directions of temperature movement. To avoidunnecessary repetition, some examples of the embodiments may bepresented herein in only one of these contexts, without mentioning theother. Therefore, where a particular embodiment or example is set forthhereinbelow in the context of home heating, the scope of the presentteachings is likewise applicable to the counterpart context of homecooling, and vice versa, to the extent such counterpart applicationwould be logically consistent with the disclosed principles as adjudgedby the skilled artisan.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing andcontrol unit (VSCU unit) 100 according to an embodiment. Unlike so manyprior art thermostats, the VSCU unit 100 preferably has a sleek, elegantappearance that does not detract from home decoration, and indeed canserve as a visually pleasing centerpiece for the immediate location inwhich it is installed. The VSCU unit 100 comprises a main body 108 thatis preferably circular with a diameter of about 8 cm, and that has avisually pleasing outer finish, such as a satin nickel or chrome finish.Separated from the main body 108 by a small peripheral gap 110 is acap-like structure comprising a rotatable outer ring 106, a sensor ring104, and a circular display monitor 102.

The outer ring 106 preferably has an outer finish identical to that ofthe main body 108, while the sensor ring 104 and circular displaymonitor 102 have a common circular glass (or plastic) outer coveringthat is gently arced in an outward direction and that provides a sleekyet solid and durable-looking overall appearance. The outer ring 106 maybe disposed along a front face of a housing of the VSCU unit 100. Thefront face may be circular, and the housing may be disk-like in shape.The outer ring may substantially surround the circular display monitoror substantially surround a portion of the circular display monitorvisible to a user. The outer ring 106 may be generally coincident withan outer lateral periphery of said disk-like shape, as illustrated,e.g., in FIGS. 1A-1C.

The sensor ring 104 contains any of a wide variety of sensors including,without limitation, infrared sensors, visible-light sensors, andacoustic sensors. Preferably, the glass (or plastic) that covers thesensor ring 104 is smoked or mirrored such that the sensors themselvesare not visible to the user. An air venting functionality is preferablyprovided, such as by virtue of the peripheral gap 110, which allows theambient air to be sensed by the internal sensors without the need forvisually unattractive “gills” or grill-like vents.

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit 100 as it is being controlled bythe hand of a user according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, forthe combined purposes of inspiring user confidence and further promotingvisual and functional elegance, the VSCU unit 100 is controlled by onlytwo types of user input, the first being a rotation of the outer ring106 (FIG. 1B), and the second being an inward push on the outer ring 106(FIG. 1C) until an audible and/or tactile “click” occurs. For someembodiments, an interior dome switch (not shown) disposed in mechanicalcommunication with the outer ring 106 provides the audible and/ortactile “click” associated with a completed inward pressing of the ring,the dome switch also providing an associated outward restorative force.

For one embodiment, the inward push of FIG. 1C only causes the outerring 106 to move forward, while in another embodiment the entirecap-like structure, including both the outer ring 106 and the glasscovering of the sensor ring 104 and circular display monitor 102, moveinwardly together when pushed. Preferably, the sensor ring 104, thecircular display monitor 102, and their common glass covering do notrotate with outer ring 106.

By virtue of user rotation of the outer ring 106 (referenced hereafteras a “ring rotation”) and the inward pushing of the outer ring 106(referenced hereinafter as an “inward click”) responsive to intuitiveand easy-to-read prompts on the circular display monitor 102, the VSCUunit 100 is advantageously capable of receiving all necessaryinformation from the user for basic setup and operation. Preferably, theouter ring 106 is mechanically mounted in a manner that provides asmooth yet viscous feel to the user, for further promoting an overallfeeling of elegance while also reducing spurious or unwanted rotationalinputs. According to various implementations, the outer ring 106 rotateson plastic bearings and uses an optical digital encoder to measure therotational movement and/or rotational position of the outer ring 106. Inaccordance with alternate implementations, other technologies such asmounting the outer ring 106 on a central shaft may be employed. For oneembodiment, the VSCU unit 100 recognizes three fundamental user inputsby virtue of the ring rotation and inward click: (1) ring rotate left,(2) ring rotate right, and (3) inward click.

According to some implementations, multiple types of user input may begenerated depending on the way a pushing inward of head unit frontincluding the outer ring 106 is effectuated. In some implementations asingle brief push inward of the outer ring 106 until the audible and/ortactile click occurs followed by a release (single click) can beinterpreted as one type of user input (also referred to as an “inwardclick”). In other implementations, pushing the outer ring 106 in andholding with an the inward pressure for an amount of time such as 1-3seconds can be interpreted as another type of user input (also referredto as a “press and hold”). According to some further implementations,other types of user input can be effectuated by a user such as doubleand/or multiple clicks, and pressing and holding for longer and/orshorter periods of time. According to other implementations,speed-sensitive or acceleration-sensitive rotational inputs may also beimplemented to create further types of user inputs (e.g., a very largeand fast leftward rotation specifies an “Away” occupancy state, while avery large and fast rightward rotation specifies an “Occupied” occupancystate).

Although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited, it ispreferred that there not be provided a discrete mechanical HEAT-COOLtoggle switch, or HEAT-OFF-COOL selection switch, or HEAT-FAN-OFF-COOLswitch anywhere on the VSCU unit 100, this omission contributing to theoverall visual simplicity and elegance of the VSCU unit 100 while alsofacilitating the provision of advanced control abilities that wouldotherwise not be permitted by the existence of such a switch. It isfurther highly preferred that there be no electrical proxy for such adiscrete mechanical switch (e.g., an electrical push button orelectrical limit switch directly driving a mechanical relay). Instead,it is preferred that the switching between these settings be performedunder computerized control of the VSCU unit 100 responsive to itsmulti-sensor readings, its programming (optionally in conjunction withexternally provided commands/data provided over a data network), and/orthe above-described “ring rotation” and “inward click” user inputs.

The VSCU unit 100 comprises physical hardware and firmwareconfigurations, along with hardware, firmware, and software programmingthat is capable of carrying out the functionalities described explicitlyherein or in one of the commonly assigned incorporated applications. Inview of the instant disclosure, a person skilled in the art would beable to realize the physical hardware and firmware configurations andthe hardware, firmware, and software programming that embody thephysical and functional features described herein without undueexperimentation using publicly available hardware and firmwarecomponents and known programming tools and development platforms.Similar comments apply to described devices and functionalitiesextrinsic to the VSCU unit 100, such as devices and programs used inremote data storage and data processing centers that receive datacommunications from and/or that provide data communications to the VSCUunit 100. By way of example, references hereinbelow to machine learningand mathematical optimization algorithms, as carried out respectively bythe VSCU unit 100 in relation to home occupancy prediction and setpointoptimization, for example, can be carried out using one or more knowntechnologies, models, and/or mathematical strategies including, but notlimited to, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, geneticprogramming, inductive logic programming, support vector machines,decision tree learning, clustering analysis, dynamic programming,stochastic optimization, linear regression, quadratic regression,binomial regression, logistic regression, simulated annealing, and otherlearning, forecasting, and optimization techniques.

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit 100 as installed in a house 201 havingan HVAC system 299 and a set of control wires 298 extending therefrom.The VSCU unit 100 is, of course, extremely well suited for installationby contractors in new home construction and/or in the context ofcomplete HVAC system replacement. However, one alternative key businessopportunity leveraged according to one embodiment is the marketing andretailing of the VSCU unit 100 as a replacement thermostat in anexisting homes, wherein the customer (and/or an HVAC professional)disconnects their old thermostat from the existing wires 298 andsubstitutes in the VSCU unit 100.

In either case, the VSCU unit 100 can advantageously serve as an“inertial wedge” for inserting an entire energy-saving technologyplatform into the home. Simply stated, because most homeownersunderstand and accept the need for home to have a thermostat, even themost curmudgeonly and techno-phobic homeowners will readily accept thesimple, non-intimidating, and easy-to-use VSCU unit 100 into theirhomes. Once in the home, of course, the VSCU unit 100 willadvantageously begin saving energy for a sustainable planet and savingmoney for the homeowner, including the curmudgeons. Additionally,however, as homeowners “warm up” to the VSCU unit 100 platform and beginto further appreciate its delightful elegance and seamless operation,they will be more inclined to take advantage of its advanced features,and they will furthermore be more open and willing to embrace a varietyof compatible follow-on products and services as are described furtherhereinbelow. This is an advantageous win-win situation on many fronts,because the planet is benefitting from the propagation ofenergy-efficient technology, while at the same time the manufacturer ofthe VSCU unit and/or their authorized business partners can furtherexpand their business revenues and prospects. For clarity of disclosure,the term “VSCU Efficiency Platform” refers herein to products andservices that are technologically compatible with the VSCU unit 100and/or with devices and programs that support the operation of the VSCUunit 100.

Some implementations of the VSCU unit 100 incorporate one or moresensors to gather data from the environment associated with the house201. Sensors incorporated in VSCU unit 100 may detect occupancy,temperature, light and other environmental conditions and influence thecontrol and operation of HVAC system 299. VSCU unit 100 uses a grillemember (not shown in FIG. 2A) implemented in accordance with the presentinvention to cover the sensors. In part, the grille member of thepresent invention adds to the appeal and attraction of the VSCU unit 100as the sensors in the VSCU unit 100 do not protrude, or attractattention from occupants of the house 201 and the VSCU unit 100 fitswith almost any decor. Keeping sensors within the VSCU unit 100 alsoreduces the likelihood of damage and loss of calibration duringmanufacture, delivery, installation or use of the VSCU unit 100. Yetdespite covering these sensors, the specialized design of the grillemember facilitates accurately gathering occupancy, temperature and otherdata from the environment. Further details on this design and otheraspects of the grille member are also described in detail later herein.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system 299 of FIG.2A. HVAC system 299 provides heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or airhandling for an enclosure, such as the single-family home 201 depictedin FIG. 2A. The HVAC system 299 depicts a forced air type heatingsystem, although according to other embodiments, other types of systemscould be used. In heating, heating coils or elements 242 within airhandler 240 provide a source of heat using electricity or gas via line236. Cool air is drawn from the enclosure via return air duct 246through filter 270 using fan 238 and is heated by the heating coils orelements 242. The heated air flows back into the enclosure at one ormore locations through a supply air duct system 252 and supply airgrills such as grill 250. In cooling, an outside compressor 230 passes agas such as Freon through a set of heat exchanger coils to cool the gas.The gas then goes via line 232 to the cooling coils 234 in the airhandlers 240 where it expands, cools and cools the air being circulatedthrough the enclosure via fan 238. According to some embodiments ahumidifier 262 is also provided which moistens the air using waterprovided by a water line 264. Although not shown in FIG. 2B, accordingto some embodiments the HVAC system for the enclosure has other knowncomponents such as dedicated outside vents to pass air to and from theoutside, one or more dampers to control airflow within the duct systems,an emergency heating unit, and a dehumidifier.

The HVAC system is selectively actuated via control electronics 212 thatcommunicate with the VSCU unit 100 over control wires 298. Thus, forexample, as known in the art, for a typical simple scenario of afour-wire configuration in which the control wires 298 consist of power(R), heat (W), cool (Y), and fan (G), the VSCU unit 100 willshort-circuit W to R to actuate a heating cycle (and then disconnect Wfrom R to end the heating cycle), will short-circuit Y to R to actuate acooling cycle (and then disconnect Y from R to end the cooling cycle),and will short-circuit G to R to turn on the fan (and then disconnect Gfrom R to turn off the fan). For a heating mode, when VSCU unit 100determines that an ambient temperature is below a lower threshold valueequal to a setpoint temperature minus a swing value, the heating cyclewill be actuated until the ambient temperature rises to an upperthreshold value equal to the setpoint value plus the swing value. For acooling mode, when VSCU unit 100 determines that an ambient temperatureis above an upper threshold value equal to a setpoint temperature plus aswing value, the cooling cycle will be actuated until the ambienttemperature lowers to a lower threshold value equal to the setpointvalue minus the swing value. Without limitation, the swing values forheating and cooling can be the same or different, the upper and lowerswing amounts can be symmetric or asymmetric, and the swing values canbe fixed, dynamic, or user-programmable, all without departing from thescope of the present teachings.

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation ofthe outer ring 106 along with an ensuing user interface displayaccording to one embodiment. For one embodiment, prior to the timedepicted in FIG. 3A in which the user has walked up to the VSCU unit100, the VSCU unit 100 has set the circular display monitor 102 to beentirely blank (“dark”), which corresponds to a state of inactivity whenno person has come near the unit. As the user walks up to the display,their presence is detected by one or more sensors in the VSCU unit 100(e.g., via a motion sensor) at which point the circular display monitor102 is automatically turned on.

When this happens, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the circular displaymonitor 102 (e.g., an electronic display) displays a digital numericalrepresentation of the current setpoint in a large font at a centerreadout 304. The representation may be rounded to the nearest degree F.(or half-degree C.), or otherwise include a different number ofsignificant digits as compared to an actual internally used currentsetpoint temperature.

Also displayed is a setpoint icon 302 disposed along a periphery of thecircular display monitor 102 at a location that is spatiallyrepresentative the current setpoint. Although it is purely electronic,the setpoint icon 302 is reminiscent of older mechanical thermostatdials, and advantageously imparts a feeling of familiarity for manyusers as well as a sense of tangible control.

Notably, the example of FIG. 3A assumes a scenario for which the actualcurrent temperature of 68 is equal to the setpoint temperature of 68when the user has walked up to the VSCU unit 100. For a case in whichthe user walks up to the VSCU unit 100 when the actual currenttemperature is different than the setpoint temperature, the displaywould also include an actual temperature readout and a trailing icon,which are described further below in the context of FIGS. 3B-3K.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, as the user turns the outer ring 106clockwise, a digital numerical representation of the increasing value ofthe setpoint temperature is instantaneously provided at the centerreadout 304, and the setpoint icon 302 moves in a clockwise directionaround the periphery of the circular display monitor 102 to a locationrepresentative of the increasing setpoint. Thus, a user receives instantfeedback about an effect of his rotation and may thus tailor a degree ofhis ring rotation accordingly. Relationships between ring rotations andselection options may be pre-established. For example, there may be aconstant or non-constant relationship between a degree of ring rotationand a change in temperature setpoints. Defining the relationship basedon angular rotation rather than an absolute angular position allows forthe ring to easily be used for multiple variable options.

Whenever the actual current temperature is different than the setpointtemperature, a representation (e.g., a digital numeric representation)of an actual temperature readout 306 is provided in relatively smalldigits along the periphery of the circular a location spatiallyrepresentative the actual current temperature. Further provided is atrailing icon 308, which could alternatively be termed a tail icon ordifference-indicating, that extends between the location of the actualtemperature readout 306 and the setpoint icon 302. Further provided is atime-to-temperature readout 310 that is indicative of a prediction, ascomputed by the VSCU unit 100, of the time interval required for theHVAC system to bring the temperature from the actual current temperatureto the setpoint temperature.

FIGS. 3C-3K illustrate views of the circular display monitor 102 atexemplary instants in time after the user setpoint change that wascompleted in FIG. 3B (assuming, of course, that the circular displaymonitor 102 has remained active, such as during a preset post-activitytime period, responsive to the continued proximity of the user, orresponsive the detected proximity of another occupant). Thus, at FIG.3C, the current actual temperature is about halfway up from the oldsetpoint to the new setpoint, and in FIG. 3D the current actualtemperature is almost at the setpoint temperature. As illustrated inFIG. 3E, both the trailing icon 308 and the actual temperature readout306 disappear when the current actual temperature reaches the setpointtemperature and the heating system is turned off. Then, as typicallyhappens in home heating situations, the actual temperature begins to sag(FIG. 3F) until the permissible temperature swing is reached (which is 2degrees in this example, see FIG. 3G), at which point the heating systemis again turned on and the temperature rises to the setpoint (FIGS.3H-3I) and the heating system is turned off. The current actualtemperature then begins to sag again (FIGS. 3J-3K), and the cyclecontinues. Advantageously, by virtue of the user interface functionalityof FIGS. 3A-3K including the time-to-temperature readout 310, the useris provided with a fast, intuitive, visually pleasing overview of systemoperation, as well as a quick indication of how much longer the heatingsystem (or cooling system in counterpart embodiments) will remain turnedon. It is to be appreciated that the use of 2 degrees as the permissibletemperature swing in FIGS. 3C-3K is only for purposes of example, andthat different amounts of permissible temperature swing may beapplicable at different times according to the particular automatedcontrol algorithms, defaults, user settings, user overrides, etc. thatmay then be in application at those times.

In some embodiments, user interactions with the VSCU unit 100 by virtueof manipulations of the outer ring 106 are analyzed and non-numericindicators (e.g., related to environmental favorability of the action)are presented to the user. FIGS. 4A-D illustrate a dynamic userinterface for encouraging reduced energy use according to a preferredembodiment. The method of FIGS. 4A-D are preferably incorporated intothe time-to-temperature user interface method of FIGS. 3A-3K, supra,although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited. As wouldbe readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, disclosurerelating to the heating context could similarly apply to a coolingcontext. Where, as in FIG. 4A, the heating setpoint is currently set toa value known to be within a first range known to be good or appropriatefor energy conservation, a pleasing positive-reinforcement icon such asthe green leaf 442 is displayed. As the user turns up the heat (see FIG.4B) the green leaf continues to be displayed as long as the setpointremains in that first range. However, as the user continues to turn upthe setpoint to a value greater than the first range (see FIG. 4C),there is displayed a negatively reinforcing icon indicative of alarm,consternation, concern, or other somewhat negative emotion, such iconbeing, for example, a flashing red version 442′ of the leaf, or apicture of a smokestack, or the like. It is believed that the many userswill respond to the negatively reinforcing icon 442′ by turning thesetpoint back down, and as illustrated in FIG. 4D, if the user returnsthe setpoint to a value lying in the first range, they are “rewarded” bythe return of the green leaf 442. Many other types of positive-emotionicons or displays can be used in place of the green leaf 442, andlikewise many different negatively reinforcing icons or displays can beused in place of the flashing red leaf 1742′, while remaining within thescope of the present teachings.

For one embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 is designed to be entirely silentunless a user has walked up and begun controlling the unit.Advantageously, there are no clicking-type annoyances when the heatingor cooling units are activated as with conventional prior artthermostats. Optionally, the VSCU unit 100 can be configured tosynthesize artificial audible clicks, such as can be output through apiezoelectric speaker, to provide “tick” feedback as the user dialsthrough different temperature settings. Thus, in some instances, VSCUunit 100 includes an audio output device configured to outputsynthesized audible ticks through said audio output device incorrespondence with user rotation of the outer ring 106.

Via the single outer ring 106, a user may easily be able to performmultiple types of interactions with the VSCU unit 100. For example, asdescribed above, the user may be able to set a setpoint temperaturevalue. Other types of interactions may additionally be performed usingthe rotating and clicking features of the same outer ring 106. Aselection component (e.g., ring 106) and electronic display 102 mayenable a user to, e.g.: (1) identify a type of variable to be set orinformation to be input; and/or (2) identify a value for one or morevariables and/or for one or more information fields.

For example, an HVAC system may include a plurality of variablecategories (e.g., energy, schedule, settings, heating/cooling mode,etc.). As described in greater detail below, display 102 may beconfigured to present a circular menu: as the user rotates outer ring106, a different category may appear at or near a top of the display. Auser may select a particular type of category by clicking outer ring106. Selection of some categories allows a user to view availablesub-menus. For example, rotation of outer ring 106 may cause an apparenttranslation of the entire screen, such that a first sub-menu moves offof the screen as a second sub-menu moves on to the screen. In someinstances, the user may be able to instantly interact with the displayedsub-menu even without clicking ring 106.

Each variable and/or information field may be defined by a value. Thevalue may include, e.g., a numeric value (e.g., a setpoint-temperaturevariable is set at “75”), a word (e.g., a password is set as“Password”), a letter (e.g., a thermostat is identified as Thermostat“A”), a selection amongst a plurality of options (e.g., smart learningis “Enabled”), etc. An active variable/field may be identified based ona user's selection of the variable/field, a default thermostat stateand/or other information.

Various value options may then be presented to the user. For example, alist of options may be presented in a grid-like fashion on the display,and a user may move a highlighted option by rotating outer ring 106. Asanother example, alphanumeric characteristics may be arcuately presentedaround an outer border of electronic display 316. In some embodiments,the options are indicatively presented (e.g., by presenting a series oftick marks, representing options of evenly spaced values), and one ormore options (e.g., a highlighted option) may be expressly presented(e.g., by displaying a value of the highlighted option at or near acenter of the display). A user may rotate outer ring 106 until a desiredoption is highlighted. When a selection is highlighted, the selectionmay be confirmed by an inward click input on the outer ring 106.

FIGS. 5A-5C show example screens of an interactive thermostat menuingsystem include a rotatable main menu, according to some preferredembodiments. As described in further detail below, the menuing systemmay be accessible to a user by an inward pressing of ring 106 (i.e. aninward click), and the user may be able to navigate through the menuingsystem by virtue of rotations and inward clicks of the outer ring 106.

The screens shown, according to some embodiments, are displayed on athermostat 100 on a round dot-matrix electronic display 102 having arotatable ring 106. FIG. 5A shows an example screen 500 in normaloperations. An inward click from the normal display screen 500 causes acircumferential main menu 520 to appear as shown in screen 501. In thisexample the main menu 520 displays about the perimeter of the circulardisplay area various menu names such as “SETTINGS,” “ENERGY,”“SCHEDULE,” “AWAY,” “DONE,” as well one or more icons. The top of thecircular menu 520 includes an active window 522 that shows the userwhich menu item will be selected if an inward click is performed at thattime. Window 522 is highlighted, filled in, circumscribed, or otherwisemarked such that a user can easily identify that a menu item within thiswindow is active.

Upon user rotation of the rotatable ring 106 (see FIG. 3A, supra) themenu items turn clockwise or counter clockwise, matching the directionof the rotatable ring 106, so as to allow different menu items to beselected. For example, screen 502 and 504 show examples displayed inresponse to a clockwise rotation of the rotatable ring 106. One exampleof a rotating menu that rotates responsive to ring rotations accordingto some embodiments is illustrated in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser.No. 29/399,632, supra. From screen 504, if an inward click is performedby the user, then the Settings menu is entered. It has been found that acircular rotating menu such as shown, when combined with a rotatablering and round display area, allows for highly intuitive and easy input,and so therefore greatly enhances the user interface experience for manyusers.

Menu items may include text (e.g., “Schedule”) and/or icons (e.g., disks510 and 512). FIG. 5B shows an example screen 506 that allows for theschedule mode to be entered. FIG. 5C shows the selection of a mode icon509 representing a heating/cooling/off mode screen, the mode icon 509comprising two disks 510 and 512 and causing the display of a mode menuif it appears in the active window 522 when the user makes an inwardclick. In screen 508, a small blue disk 510 represents cooling mode anda small orange-red disk 512 represents heating mode. According to someembodiments the colors of the disks 510 and 512 match the backgroundcolors used for the thermostat, as described in greater detail below.

Menu items may further indicate a currently active selection or mode ofoperation. For example, one of disks 510 and 512, in this case theheating disk 512, is highlighted with a colored outline, to indicate thecurrent operating mode (i.e. heating or cooling) of the thermostat. Inone alternative embodiment, the mode icon 509 can be replaced with thetext string “HEAT/COOL/OFF” or simply the word “MODE”.

If in inward click is performed from screen 508, a menu screen 514appears (e.g. using a “coin flip” transition). In screen 514 the usercan view the current mode (marked with a check mark). Screen 514illustrates another way in which rotatable ring 106 may be used to makea selection. A plurality of selection options may be presented, with oneor more options being emphasized (e.g., highlighted). A user mayhighlight a different option by rotating rotatable ring 106. Forexample, as a user rotates rotatable ring 106 in a clockwise fashion,options further down the list become highlighted. Once the user issatisfied that the desired option is highlighted, they may click thering to confirm the selection. Thus, in the example shown in screen 514,a user may rotate rotatable ring 106 clockwise to move the highlightingfrom “HEAT” to “COOL” or “OFF.” The user may then establish theselection by clicking the ring, and thereby change the mode. If “COOL”is selected then the thermostat will change over to cooling mode (suchchangeover as might be performed in the springtime), and the coolingdisk icon will highlighted on screens 514 and 508. The menu can also beused to turn the thermostat off by selecting “OFF.” In cases theconnected HVAC system only has heating or cooling but not both, thewords “HEAT” or “COOL” or “OFF” are displayed on the menu 520 instead ofthe colored disks.

FIGS. 6A-6B and FIGS. 7A-7C further illustrate possible operation andversatile uses of outer ring 106. FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate example userinterface screens for making various settings, according to someembodiments. The screens shown, according to some embodiments, aredisplayed on a thermostat 100 on a round dot-matrix electronic display102 having a rotatable ring 106. In FIG. 6A, screen 600 is initiallydisplayed following a user selection of “SETTINGS” from the main menu,such as shown in screen 504 of FIG. 5A. The general layout of thesettings menu in this example is a series of sub-menus that arenavigated using the rotatable ring 106. For example, with reference toFIG. 6A, the user can cause the initial screen 600 to be shifted ortranslated to the left by a clockwise rotation of the rotatable ring106, as shown in the succession of screens 602 and 608. The animatedtranslation or shifting effect is illustrated in FIG. 6A by virtue of aportion of the previous screen disk 601 and a portion of the new screendisk 606 shifting as shown, and is similar to the animated shiftingtranslation illustrated in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No.29/399,621, supra. Further rotation of the ring leads to successivesub-menu items such as “system on” screen 612, and lock setting screen616 (see FIG. 6B). Rotating the ring in the opposite direction, i.e.,counterclockwise, translates or shifts the screens in the oppositedirection (e.g., from 616 to 608 to 600). The “initial screen” 600 isthus also used as a way to exit the settings menu by an inward click.This exit function is also identified by the “DONE” label on the screen600. Note that inner disk 601 shows the large central numerals thatcorrespond to the current setpoint temperature and can include abackground color to match the thermostat background color scheme, so asto indicate to a user, in an intuitive way, that this screen 600 is away of exiting the menu and going “back” to the main thermostat display.According to some embodiments, another initial/done screen such asscreen 600 is displayed at the other end (the far end) of the settingsmenu, so as to allow means of exit from the settings menu from eitherend. According to some embodiments, the sub-menus are repeated withcontinued rotation in one direction, so that they cycle through in acircular fashion and thus any sub menu can eventually be accessed byrotating the ring continuously in either one of the two directions.

Screen 608 has a central disk 606 indicating the name of the sub-menu,in this case the Fan mode. Some sub menus only contain a few optionswhich can be selected or toggled among by inward clicking alone. Forexample, the Fan sub-menu 608 only has two settings “automatic” (shownin screen 608) and “always on” (shown in screen 610). In this case thefan mode is changed by inward clicking, which simply toggles between thetwo available options. Ring rotation shifts to the next (or previous)settings sub-menu item. Thus rotating the ring from the fan sub-menushift to the system on/off sub-menu shown in screens 612 (in the case ofsystem “ON”) and 614 (in the case of system “OFF”). The system on/offsub-menu is another example of simply toggling between the two availableoptions using the inward click user input.

FIG. 6B shows sub-menu screen examples for settings for brightness,click sounds and Celsius/Fahrenheit units, according to someembodiments. Screens 660, 661, 662 and 663 toggle among four differentbrightness settings using the inward click input as shown in FIG. 6B.Specifically, the settings for auto-brightness, low, medium and high canbe selected. According to some embodiments, the brightness of thedisplay is changed to match the current selection so as to aid the userin selecting an appropriate brightness setting. Screens 664 and 665toggle between providing, and not providing, audible clicking sounds asthe user rotates the rotatable ring 106, which is a form of sensoryfeedback that some users prefer and other users do not prefer.

Screens 666 and 667 are used to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheitunits, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, ifCelsius units is selected, then half-degrees are displayed by thethermostat when numerical temperature is provided (for example, asuccession of 21, 215, 22, 225, 23, 235, and so forth in an example inwhich the user is turning up the rotatable ring on the main thermostatdisplay). According to another embodiment, there is another sub-menuscreen disk (not shown) that is equivalent to the “Brightness” and“Click Sound” disks in the menu hierarchy, and which bears one of thetwo labels “SCREEN ON when you approach” and “SCREEN ON when you press,”the user being able to toggle between these two options by an inwardclick when this disk is displayed. When the “SCREEN ON when youapproach” is active, the proximity sensor-based activation of theelectronic display screen 102 is provided (as described above with thedescription accompanying FIG. 5C), whereas when the “SCREEN ON when youpress” option is selected, the electronic display screen 102 does notturn on unless there is a ring rotation or inward click.

FIG. 7A illustrates a data input functionality provided by the userinterface of the VSCU unit 100 according to an embodiment, for aparticular non-limiting example in which the user is asked, during acongenial setup interview (which can occur at initial VSCU unitinstallation or at any subsequent time that the user may request), toenter their ZIP code. Responsive to a display of digits 0-9 distributedaround a periphery of the circular display monitor 102 along with aselection icon 702, the user turns the outer ring 106 to move theselection icon 702 to the appropriate digit, and then provides an inwardclick command to enter that digit. In some embodiments, the menuingsystem that is navigated by virtue of ring rotations and ring inwardclicks may be configured to further allow the user to: provide the unitwith information necessary to connect to an Internet network; provide anaddress; provide a current date; provide a type of location (home versusbusiness); provide occupancy patterns; provide information aboutheating/cooling equipment; identify qualitative or quantitative heatingor cooling preferences (e.g., heating or cooling temperatures whenaway); set a password; scheduling learning; set a brightness, sound orunit property; initiate an equipment test; and/or view selectinformational content (e.g., how to set up wiring). Additional detailrelated to the types of interactions that may be enabled by the outerring 106 is provided in U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501.

For one embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 is programmed to provide asoftware lockout functionality, wherein a person is required to enter apassword or combination before the VSCU unit 100 will accept theircontrol inputs. The user interface for password request and entry can besimilar to that shown in FIG. 7A. The software lockout functionality canbe highly useful, for example, for Mom and Dad in preventing theirteenager from making unwanted changes to the set temperature, forvarious landlord-tenant scenarios, and in a variety of other situations.

FIGS. 7B-7C illustrate a similar data input functionality provided bythe user interface of the VSCU unit 100 for answering various questionsduring the set up interview. The user rotates the outer ring 106 untilthe desired answer is highlighted, and then provides an inward clickcommand to enter that answer.

Thus, as exemplified in FIGS. 3-7, the menuing system as navigated byouter-ring rotations and inward clicks may be used to receive many typesof user inputs. The menuing system may further be configured to receivevariable inputs from a user. For example, a menu may be displayedsubsequent to a click on the ring, and a user may be able to navigatebetween variables (e.g., a menu, a sub-menu, a setpoint, a setting,etc.) using the outer ring 106. As another example, a double click onthe ring may allow a user to view and select between various types ofsettings (e.g., single setpoints, time-dependent setpoints, userprofiles, etc.). These advanced opportunities may nevertheless remainhidden from a user wishing to enter only the most simple information.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate a thermostat 800 having a user-friendly interface,according to some embodiments. Unlike many prior art thermostats,thermostat 800 preferably has a sleek, simple, uncluttered and elegantdesign that does not detract from home decoration, and indeed can serveas a visually pleasing centerpiece for the immediate location in whichit is installed. Moreover, user interaction with thermostat 800 isfacilitated and greatly enhanced over known conventional thermostats bythe design of thermostat 800. The thermostat 800 includes controlcircuitry and is electrically connected to an HVAC system, such as isshown with unit 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thermostat 800 is wall mounted, iscircular in shape, and has an outer rotatable ring 812 for receivinguser input. Thermostat 800 is circular in shape in that it appears as agenerally disk-like circular object when mounted on the wall. Thermostat800 has a large front face lying inside the outer ring 812. According tosome embodiments, thermostat 800 is approximately 80 mm in diameter.

The outer rotatable ring 812 allows the user to make adjustments, suchas selecting a new target temperature. For example, by rotating theouter ring 812 clockwise, the target temperature can be increased, andby rotating the outer ring 812 counter-clockwise, the target temperaturecan be decreased. The thermostat 800 may be configured to receive aplurality of types of inputs by virtue of the rotatable ring 812, suchas a scrolling input and a selection input. For example, a rotation ofthe ring may allow a user to scroll through an array of selectionoptions, and inwards pressure exerted on the ring (inward click) mayallow a user to select one of the options (e.g., corresponding to aparticular scroll position).

The outer rotatable ring 812 may include a component that may bephysically rotated, or, in other embodiments, a static component thatmay sense a user's virtual rotation of the ring. For some embodiments,the outer rotatable ring 812 may include a touch pad configured to trackarcuate motion of a user's finger on the touch pad. The touch pad maycomprise, e.g., a ring-shaped or circular area. In some instances, thetouch pad includes multiple portions (e.g., to detect arcuate motion ina first ring-shaped area and to detect tapping in a second innercircular area). Boundaries of a touch pad area may be identified to auser using, e.g., visual or tactile cues. For example, a ring-shapedtouchpad area may be indented compared to neighboring areas on thethermostat 800, or the area may be a different color than neighboringareas.

For preferred embodiments such as those of FIG. 8A in which the outerring 812 is a continuous loop without fiducial markers, one or moreadvantages are brought about. Thus, a user may physically rotate thering (in embodiments in which the ring is configured to be physicallyrotatable) regardless of a starting position of the ring. Further, auser may select, e.g., a value of a variable (e.g., select a particularmenu, a particular setpoint temperature value, etc.) by rotating thering multiple times. This feature may be particularly advantageous asthe user need not worry about precise rotations in order to select adesired option.

The front face of the thermostat 800 comprises a clear cover 814 thataccording to some embodiments is polycarbonate, and a metallic portion824 preferably having a number of slots formed therein as shown.According to some embodiments, the surface of cover 814 and metallicportion 824 form a common outward arc or spherical shape gently arcingoutward, and this gentle arcing shape is continued by the outer ring812.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material such aspolycarbonate, the cover 814 has two different regions or portionsincluding an outer portion 814 o and a central portion 814 i. Accordingto some embodiments, the cover 814 is painted or smoked around the outerportion 814 o, but leaves the central portion 814 i visibly clear so asto facilitate viewing of an electronic display 816 disposedthereunderneath. According to some embodiments, the curved cover 814acts as a lens that tends to magnify the information being displayed inelectronic display 816 to users. According to some embodiments thecentral electronic display 816 is a dot-matrix layout (individuallyaddressable) such that arbitrary shapes can be generated, rather thanbeing a segmented layout. According to some embodiments, a combinationof dot-matrix layout and segmented layout is employed. According to someembodiments, central display 816 is a backlit color liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). An example of information displayed on the electronicdisplay 816 is illustrated in FIG. 8A, and includes central numerals 820that are representative of a current setpoint temperature.

Particular presentations displayed on the electronic display 816 maydepend on detected user input. For example, one of a plurality ofvariables (e.g., current setpoint temperature versus learning status) orvariable values (e.g., 65 degrees versus 75 degrees) may be displayed.The one being displayed may depend on a user's rotation of the outerrotatable ring 812. Thus, for example, when the device is configured todisplay a current setpoint temperature, the value being displayed maygradually increase as the user rotates the ring in a clockwisedirection. The sign of the change in the displayed temperature maydepend on whether the user is rotating the ring in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction. The speed at which the displayed temperatureis changing may depend (e.g., in a linear manner) on the speed at whichthe user is rotating the ring.

As described above, a displayed characteristic may vary depending onreceived user input. For example, a displayed temperature may increaseas a user rotates the outer rotatable ring 812 clockwise, or ahighlighted indicator may progress across a list of displayed options asthe user rotates the ring 812. Further, or additionally, user inputs maycause the appearance of new types of information. For example, if a useris viewing setpoint-temperature options, a dramatic clockwise rotationmay cause a flashing red symbol (to convey an anti-environmentalmessage). Thus, a relationship may exist between a single type of userinput (e.g., ring rotation) and a change in an active variable (e.g.,setpoint temperature changes), and relationships may further existbetween the single type of user input and an inactive variable (e.g., anenvironmental warning flag). The latter relationship may be indirect anddepend on a value or change in values of the active variable.

The presentations on the electronic display 816 may depend on one ormore types of user input. For example, the display may change in a firstmanner (e.g., to show a varying selection option) as a user rotates theouter rotatable ring 812 and may change in a second manner (e.g., toconfirm a selection or default to a menu screen) as the user exertsinwards pressure on the outer rotatable ring 812.

According to some embodiments, metallic portion 824 has number ofslot-like openings so as to facilitate the use of a passive infraredmotion sensor 830 mounted therebeneath. The metallic portion 824 canalternatively be termed a metallic front grille portion. Furtherdescription of the metallic portion/front grille portion is provided inthe commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra. The design of themetallic portion 824 compliments the sleek, simple, uncluttered andelegant design of thermostat 800 while facilitating the integration andoperation of sensors located within a housing of the thermostat. In theimplementation as illustrated, thermostat 800 is enclosed by housingwith a forward-facing surface including the cover 814 and the metallicportion 324. Some implementations of the housing include a back plateand a head unit. The housing provides an attractive and durableconfiguration for one or more integrated sensors used by thermostat 800and contained therein. In some implementations, the metallic portion 824may be flush-mounted with the cover 814 on the forward-facing surface ofhousing. Together the metallic portion 824 as incorporated in housingdoes not detract from home or commercial decor, and indeed can serve asa visually pleasing centerpiece for the immediate location in which itis located.

The metallic portion 824 is designed to conceal sensors from viewpromoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat yet permittingthem to receive their respective signals. Openings in the metallicportion 824 along the forward-facing surface of the housing allowsignals to pass through that would otherwise not pass through the cover814. For example, glass, polycarbonate or other similar materials usedfor cover 814 are capable of transmitting visible light but are highlyattenuating to infrared energy having longer wavelengths in the range of10 microns, which is the radiation band of operation for many passiveinfrared (PIR) occupancy sensors. Notably, included in the thermostat800, according to some preferred implementations, is an ambient lightsensor (not shown) and an active proximity sensor (not shown) positionednear the top of the thermostat just behind the cover 814. Unlike PIRsensors, the ambient light sensor and active proximity sensor areconfigured to detect electromagnetic energy in the visible andshorter-infrared spectrum bands having wavelengths less than 1 micron,for which the glass or polycarbonate materials of the cover 814 are nothighly attenuating. In some implementations, the metallic portion 824includes openings in accordance with one or more implementations thatallow the longer-wavelength infrared radiation to pass through theopenings towards a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor 830 asillustrated. Because the metallic portion 824 is mounted over theradiation receiving surface of PIR motion sensor 830, PIR motion sensor830 continues to receive the longer wavelength infrared radiationthrough the openings and detect occupancy in an enclosure.

Additional implementations of the metallic portion 824 also facilitateadditional sensors to detect other environmental conditions. Themetallic portion may at least partly conceal and/or protect one or moresuch sensors. In some implementations, the metallic portion 824 helps atemperature sensor situated inside of the thermostat's housing measurethe ambient temperature of air. Openings in the metallic portion 824promote air flow towards a temperature sensor located below the metallicportion 824 thus conveying outside temperatures to the interior of thehousing. In further implementations, the metallic portion 824 may bethermally coupled to a temperature sensor promoting a transfer of heatfrom outside the housing.

The thermostat 800 is preferably constructed such that the electronicdisplay 816 is at a fixed orientation and does not rotate with the outerring 812, so that the electronic display 816 remains easily read by theuser. For some embodiments, the cover 814 and metallic portion 824 alsoremain at a fixed orientation and do not rotate with the outer ring 812.According to one embodiment in which the diameter of the thermostat 800is about 80 mm, the diameter of the electronic display 816 is about 45mm. According to some embodiments an LED indicator 880 is positionedbeneath portion 824 to act as a low-power-consuming indicator of certainstatus conditions. For, example the LED indicator 880 can be used todisplay blinking red when a rechargeable battery of the thermostat isvery low and is being recharged. More generally, the LED indicator 880can be used for communicating one or more status codes or error codes byvirtue of red color, green color, various combinations of red and green,various different blinking rates, and so forth, which can be useful fortroubleshooting purposes.

Motion sensing as well as other techniques can be use used in thedetection and/or predict of occupancy, as is described further in thecommonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430, supra. According to someembodiments, occupancy information is used in generating an effectiveand efficient scheduled program. Preferably, an active proximity sensor870A is provided to detect an approaching user by infrared lightreflection, and an ambient light sensor 870B is provided to sensevisible light. The proximity sensor 870A can be used to detect proximityin the range of about one meter so that the thermostat 800 can initiate“waking up” when the user is approaching the thermostat and prior to theuser touching the thermostat. Such use of proximity sensing is usefulfor enhancing the user experience by being “ready” for interaction assoon as, or very soon after the user is ready to interact with thethermostat. Further, the wake-up-on-proximity functionality also allowsfor energy savings within the thermostat by “sleeping” when no userinteraction is taking place our about to take place. The ambient lightsensor 870B can be used for a variety of intelligence-gatheringpurposes, such as for facilitating confirmation of occupancy when sharprising or falling edges are detected (because it is likely that thereare occupants who are turning the lights on and off), and such as fordetecting long term (e.g., 24-hour) patterns of ambient light intensityfor confirming and/or automatically establishing the time of day.

According to some embodiments, for the combined purposes of inspiringuser confidence and further promoting visual and functional elegance,the thermostat 800 is controlled by only two types of user input, thefirst being a rotation of the outer ring 812 as shown in FIG. 8A(referenced hereafter as a “rotate ring” or “ring rotation” input), andthe second being an inward push on an outer cap 808 (see FIG. 8B) untilan audible and/or tactile “click” occurs (referenced hereafter as an“inward click” or simply “click” input). For the embodiment of FIGS.8A-8B, the outer cap 808 is an assembly that includes all of the outerring 812, cover 814, electronic display 816, and metallic portion 824.When pressed inwardly by the user, the outer cap 808 travels inwardly bya small amount, such as 0.5 mm, against an interior metallic dome switch(not shown), and then springably travels back outwardly by that sameamount when the inward pressure is released, providing a satisfyingtactile “click” sensation to the user's hand, along with a correspondinggentle audible clicking sound. Thus, for the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8B,an inward click can be achieved by direct pressing on the outer ring 812itself, or by indirect pressing of the outer ring by virtue of providinginward pressure on the cover 814, metallic portion 824, or by variouscombinations thereof . For other embodiments, the thermostat 800 can bemechanically configured such that only the outer ring 812 travelsinwardly for the inward click input, while the cover 814 and metallicportion 824 remain motionless. It is to be appreciated that a variety ofdifferent selections and combinations of the particular mechanicalelements that will travel inwardly to achieve the “inward click” inputare within the scope of the present teachings, whether it be the outerring 812 itself, some part of the cover 814, or some combinationthereof. However, it has been found particularly advantageous to providethe user with an ability to quickly go back and forth betweenregistering “ring rotations” and “inward clicks” with a single hand andwith minimal amount of time and effort involved, and so the ability toprovide an inward click directly by pressing the outer ring 812 has beenfound particularly advantageous, since the user's fingers do not need tobe lifted out of contact with the device, or slid along its surface, inorder to go between ring rotations and inward clicks. Moreover, byvirtue of the strategic placement of the electronic display 816centrally inside the rotatable ring 812, a further advantage is providedin that the user can naturally focus their attention on the electronicdisplay throughout the input process, right in the middle of where theirhand is performing its functions. The combination of intuitive outerring rotation, especially as applied to (but not limited to) thechanging of a thermostat's setpoint temperature, conveniently foldedtogether with the satisfying physical sensation of inward clicking,together with accommodating natural focus on the electronic display inthe central midst of their fingers' activity, adds significantly to anintuitive, seamless, and downright fun user experience. Furtherdescriptions of advantageous mechanical user-interfaces and relateddesigns, which are employed according to some embodiments, can be foundin U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573, supra, U.S. Ser. No. 29/386,021, supra, andU.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra.

FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shell portion 809 of aframe of the thermostat of FIGS. 8A-B, which has been found to provide aparticularly pleasing and adaptable visual appearance of the overallthermostat 800 when viewed against a variety of different wall colorsand wall textures in a variety of different home environments and homesettings. While the thermostat itself will functionally adapt to theuser's schedule as described herein and in one or more of the commonlyassigned incorporated applications, supra, the outer shell portion 809is specially configured to convey a “chameleon” quality orcharacteristic such that the overall device appears to naturally blendin, in a visual and decorative sense, with many of the most common wallcolors and wall textures found in home and business environments, atleast in part because it will appear to assume the surrounding colorsand even textures when viewed from many different angles. The shellportion 809 has the shape of a frustum that is gently curved when viewedin cross-section, and comprises a sidewall 876 that is made of a clearsolid material, such as polycarbonate plastic. The sidewall 876 isbackpainted with a substantially flat silver- or nickel-colored paint,the paint being applied to an inside surface 878 of the sidewall 876 butnot to an outside surface 877 thereof. The outside surface 877 is smoothand glossy but is not painted. The sidewall 876 can have a thickness Tof about 1.5 mm, a diameter d1 of about 78.8 mm at a first end that isnearer to the wall when mounted, and a diameter d2 of about 81.2 mm at asecond end that is farther from the wall when mounted, the diameterchange taking place across an outward width dimension “h” of about 22.5mm, the diameter change taking place in either a linear fashion or, morepreferably, a slightly nonlinear fashion with increasing outwarddistance to form a slightly curved shape when viewed in profile, asshown in FIG. 8C. The outer ring 812 of outer cap 808 is preferablyconstructed to match the diameter d2 where disposed near the second endof the shell portion 809 across a modestly sized gap g1 therefrom, andthen to gently arc back inwardly to meet the cover 814 across a smallgap g2. It is to be appreciated, of course, that FIG. 8C onlyillustrates the outer shell portion 809 of the thermostat 800, and thatthere are many electronic components internal thereto that are omittedfrom FIG. 8C for clarity of presentation, such electronic componentsbeing described further hereinbelow and/or in other ones of the commonlyassigned incorporated applications, such as U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108,supra.

According to some embodiments, the thermostat 800 includes a processingsystem 860, display driver 864 and a wireless communications system 866.The processing system 860 may be disposed within a housing of thermostat800, coupled to one or more temperature sensors of thermostat 800 and/orcoupled to rotatable ring 812. The processing system 860 may beconfigured to dynamically identify user input via rotatable ring 812,dynamically identifying a variable value (e.g., a setpoint temperaturevalue), and/or dynamically identify an HVAC-control-related property.The processing system 860 may be configured and programmed to provide aninteractive thermostat menuing system (e.g., such as the menuing systemshown in FIG. 5) on display area 816 responsive to an inward pressing ofrotatable ring 812 and/or to provide user navigation within theinteractive thermostat menuing system based on rotation of rotatablering 812 and inward pressing of rotatable ring 812 (e.g., such as isdescribed in relation to FIG. 5). The processing system 860 may beadapted to cause the display driver 864 and display area 816 to displayinformation to the user and/or to receive user input via the rotatablering 812.

For example, an active variable (e.g., variable-value selection,setpoint selection, zip-code selection) may be determined based on adefault state, smart logic or previously received user input. Arelationship between the variable and user input may be identified. Therelationship may be, e.g., linear or non-linear, continuous or discrete,and/or saturating or non-saturating. Such relationships may bepre-defined and stored within the thermostat. User input may bedetected. Analysis of the user input may include, e.g., identifying: atype of user input (tapping versus rotation), a degree of input (e.g., adegree of rotation); a final input position (e.g., a final angularposition of the rotatable ring); an input location (e.g., a position ofa tapping); and/or a speed of input (e.g., a speed of rotation). Usingthe relationship, the processing system 860 may then determine a displayindicator, such as a digital numerical value representative of anidentified value of a variable (e.g., a setpoint temperature). Thedisplay indicator may be displayed on display area 816. For example, adigital numerical value representative of a setpoint temperature to bedisplayed may be determined based on a prior setpoint value and asaturating and continuous relationship between rotation input and thetemperature. The displayed value may be, e.g., numeric, textual orgraphical.

The processing system 860 may further set a variable value in accordancewith a user selection. For example, a particular type of user input(e.g., inwards pressure exertion) may be detected. A value of a selectedvariable may be determined based on, e.g., a prior ring rotation,displayed variable value, etc. The variable may then be set to thisvalue.

The processing system 860, according to some embodiments, is capable ofcarrying out the governance of the operation of thermostat 800 includingthe user interface features described herein. The processing system 860is further programmed and configured to carry out other operations asdescribed further hereinbelow and/or in other ones of the commonlyassigned incorporated applications. For example, processing system 860is further programmed and configured to maintain and update athermodynamic model for the enclosure in which the HVAC system isinstalled, such as described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463, supra.According to some embodiments, the wireless communications system 866 isused to communicate with devices such as personal computers and/or otherthermostats or HVAC system components, which can be peer-to-peercommunications, communications through one or more servers located on aprivate network, and/or communications through a cloud-based service.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the thermostat 800 with respect to its two maincomponents, which are the head unit 900 and the back plate 1000. Furthertechnical and/or functional descriptions of various ones of theelectrical and mechanical components illustrated hereinbelow can befound in one or more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications,such as U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra. In the drawings shown, the “z”direction is outward from the wall, the “y” direction is the head-to-toedirection relative to a walk-up user, and the “x” direction is theuser's left-to-right direction.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit 900 with respect to its primarycomponents. Head unit 900 includes a head unit frame 910, the outer ring920 (which is manipulated for ring rotations), a head unit frontalassembly 930, a front lens 980, and a front grille 990. Electricalcomponents on the head unit frontal assembly 930 can connect toelectrical components on the back plate 1000 by virtue of ribbon cablesand/or other plug type electrical connectors. Head unit frontal assembly930 is slidably mounted and secured to head unit frame urging the outerring 920 to be held between the head unit frontal assembly 930 and thehead unit frame.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly 930 with respect to itsprimary components. Head unit frontal assembly 930 comprises a head unitcircuit board 940, a head unit front plate 950, and an LCD module 960.The components of the front side of head unit circuit board 940 arehidden behind an RF shield in FIG. 10A but are discussed in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 13. On the back of the head unit circuitboard 940 is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 944, which for onepreferred embodiment has a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts and a nominalcapacity of 560 mAh. To extend battery life, however, the battery 944 isnormally not charged beyond 450 mAh by the thermostat battery chargingcircuitry. Moreover, although the battery 944 is rated to be capable ofbeing charged to 4.2 volts, the thermostat battery charging circuitrynormally does not charge it beyond 3.95 volts. Also visible in FIG. 10Bis an optical finger navigation module 942 that is configured andpositioned to sense rotation of the outer ring 920. The module 942 usesmethods analogous to the operation of optical computer mice to sense themovement of a texturable surface on a facing periphery of the outer ring920. Notably, the module 942 is one of the very few sensors that iscontrolled by the relatively power-intensive head unit microprocessorrather than the relatively low-power back plate microprocessor. This isachievable without excessive power drain implications because the headunit microprocessor will invariably be awake already when the user ismanually turning the dial, so there is no excessive wake-up power drainanyway. Advantageously, very fast response can also be provided by thehead unit microprocessor. Also visible in FIG. 11A is a Fresnel lens 957that operates in conjunction with a PIR motion sensor disposesthereunderneath.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the back plate unit 1000 with respect to its primarycomponents. Back plate unit 1000 comprises a back plate rear plate 1010,a back plate circuit board 1020, and a back plate cover 1080. Visible inFIG. 12A are the HVAC wire connectors 2122 that include integrated wireinsertion sensing circuitry, and two relatively large capacitors 1024that are used by part of the power stealing circuitry that is mounted onthe back side of the back plate circuit board 1020 and discussed furtherbelow with respect to FIG. 15.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a partially assembled headunit front 900 showing the positioning of grille member 990 designed inaccordance with aspects of the present invention with respect to severalsensors used by the thermostat. In some implementations, as describedfurther in U.S. 13/199,108, supra, placement of grille member 990 overthe Fresnel lens 957 and an associated PIR motion sensor 334 concealsand protects these PIR sensing elements, while horizontal slots in thegrille member 990 allow the PIR motion sensing hardware, despite beingconcealed, to detect the lateral motion of occupants in a room or area.The PIR motion sensor 334 may detect occupants moving laterally due tothe shape of openings, which are slit-like and elongated along asubstantially horizontal direction. In some implementations, the Fresnellens 957 helps focus the radiation from these occupants onto theinfrared sensitive sensor elements (not shown in FIG. 13) of the PIRmotion sensor 334. For example, the grille member 990 has one or moreopenings placed over the radiation receiving elements and Fresnel lens957 of the PIR motion sensor 334. While grille member 990 may beconstructed from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, glass,carbon-composite, and metallic alloy, it is generally preferable forpurposes of increased temperature sensing precision for the grillemember to be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity, suchas a metal or metallic alloy.

For example, where grille member 990 is made from a thermally conductivematerial such as a metal or metallic alloy, it operates as a “thermalantenna” and absorbs ambient temperature from a broader area thantemperature sensor 330 could otherwise sample. A temperature sensorpositioned substantially normal to the head unit circuit board towardsgrille member 990 may be close enough to receive heat absorbed by grillemember 990. In some implementations, applying a thermally conductivematerials, such as a paste, thermal adhesive or thermal grease betweentemperature sensor 330 and inward facing surface of grille member 990improves the thermal conductivity between these two components and theaccuracy of the temperature measurement. Thermally coupling grillemember 990 with temperature sensor 330 assists temperature sensor 330 tomeasure the ambient air temperature outside rather than inside of thehousing holding the thermostat.

A temperature sensor 330 uses a pair of thermal sensors to moreaccurately measure ambient temperature. A first or upper thermal sensor330 a associated with temperature sensor 330 tends to gather temperaturedata closer to the area outside or on the exterior of the thermostatwhile a second or lower thermal sensor 330 b tends to collecttemperature data more closely associated with the interior of thehousing. In one implementation, each of the temperature sensors 330 aand 330 b comprises a Texas Instruments TMP112 digital temperaturesensor chip, while the PIR motion sensor 334 comprises PerkinElmerDigiPyro PYD 1998 dual element pyrodetector.

To more accurately determine the ambient temperature, the temperaturetaken from the lower thermal sensor 330 b is taken into consideration inview of the temperatures measured by the upper thermal sensor 330 a andwhen determining the effective ambient temperature. This configurationcan advantageously be used to compensate for the effects of internalheat produced in the thermostat by the microprocessor(s) and/or otherelectronic components therein, thereby obviating or minimizingtemperature measurement errors that might otherwise be suffered. In someimplementations, the accuracy of the ambient temperature measurement maybe further enhanced by thermally coupling upper thermal sensor 330 a oftemperature sensor 330 to grille member 990 as the upper thermal sensor330 a better reflects the ambient temperature than lower thermal sensor330 b. Details on using a pair of thermal sensors to determine aneffective ambient temperature is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,741,476, whichis incorporated by reference herein.

With exemplary reference to FIGS. 13, the mutual positioning andconfiguration of the grille member 990, Fresnel lens 957, PIR sensor334, and temperature sensors 330 a and 330 b provides for anadvantageous and synergistic combination of physical compactness andvisual sensor concealment, along with promoting ambient temperaturesensor accuracy and preserving PIR occupancy sensing functionality. Insome ways this can be seen as one beneficial outcome of a “dual use” ofa key volume of space lying between the Fresnel lens 957 and the surfaceof the PIR sensor 334, wherein the necessary spacing between the Fresnellens 957 and the surface of the PIR sensor 334 also serves as the spaceacross which a temperature gradient between the lower thermal sensor 330b and upper thermal sensor 330 a is formed and sensed, this temperaturegradient being leveraged to provide better ambient temperature sensingthan would be provided by a single-point thermal sensor. In turn, thecompactness promoted by the configuration of elements 957/334/330 a/330b allows them to be placed behind the grille 990 without the necessityof substantially enlarging the outward protrusion of the overallhousing. At the same time, for preferred implementations in which thegrille member 990 is metallic and thermally coupled to the upper thermalsensor 330 a, the high thermal conductivity of the grille member 990still further enhances the accuracy of temperature measurement by actingas a “thermal antenna,” which is in addition to its other functions ofconcealment and ambient air access.

FIG. 14 illustrates a head-on view of the head unit circuit board 940,which comprises a head unit microprocessor 1402 (such as a TexasInstruments AM3703 chip) and an associated oscillator 1404, along withDDR SDRAM memory 1406, and mass NAND storage 1408. For Wi-Fi capability,there is provided in a separate compartment of RF shielding 1434 a Wi-Fimodule 1410, such as a Murata Wireless Solutions LBWA19XSLZ module,which is based on the Texas Instruments WL1270 chipset supporting the802.11 b/g/n WLAN standard. For the Wi-Fi module 1410 is supportingcircuitry 1412 including an oscillator 1414. For ZigBee capability,there is provided also in a separately shielded RF compartment a ZigBeemodule 1416, which can be, for example, a C2530F256 module from TexasInstruments. For the ZigBee module 1416 there is provided supportingcircuitry 1418 including an oscillator 1419 and a low-noise amplifier1420. Also provided is display backlight voltage conversion circuitry1422, piezoelectric driving circuitry 1424, and power managementcircuitry 1426 (local power rails, etc.). Provided on a flex circuit1428 that attaches to the back of the head unit circuit board by a flexcircuit connector 1430 is a proximity and ambient light sensor(PROX/ALS), more particularly a Silicon Labs SI1142 Proximity/AmbientLight Sensor with an I2C Interface. Also provided is batterycharging-supervision-disconnect circuitry 1432, and spring/RF antennas1436. Also provided is a temperature sensor 1438 (rising perpendicularto the circuit board in the +z direction containing two separatetemperature sensing elements at different distances from the circuitboard), and a PIR motion sensor 1440. Notably, even though the PROX/ALSand temperature sensors 1438 and PIR motion sensor 1440 are physicallylocated on the head unit circuit board 940, all these sensors are polledand controlled by the low-power back plate microcontroller on the backplate circuit board, to which they are electrically connected.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of the back plate circuit board 1020,comprising a back plate processor/microcontroller 1502, such as a TexasInstrumentsMSP430F System-on-Chip Microcontroller that includes anon-board memory 1503. The back plate circuit board 1020 furthercomprises power supply circuitry 1504, which includes power-stealingcircuitry, and switch circuitry 1506 for each HVAC respective HVACfunction. For each such function the switch circuitry 1506 includes anisolation transformer 1508 and a back-to-back NFET package 1510. The useof FETs in the switching circuitry allows for “active power stealing”,i.e., taking power during the HVAC “ON” cycle, by briefly divertingpower from the HVAC relay circuit to the reservoir capacitors for a verysmall interval, such as 100 micro-seconds. This time is small enough notto trip the HVAC relay into the “off” state but is sufficient to chargeup the reservoir capacitors. The use of FETs allows for this fastswitching time (100 micro-seconds), which would be difficult to achieveusing relays (which stay on for tens of milliseconds). Also, such relayswould readily degrade doing this kind of fast switching, and they wouldalso make audible noise too. In contrast, the FETS operate withessentially no audible noise. Also provided is a combinedtemperature/humidity sensor module 1512, such as a Sensirion SHT21module. The back plate microcontroller 1502 performs polling of thevarious sensors, sensing for mechanical wire insertion at installation,alerting the head unit regarding current vs. setpoint temperatureconditions and actuating the switches accordingly, and other functionssuch as looking for appropriate signal on the inserted wire atinstallation.

In accordance with the teachings of the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No.13/269,501, supra, the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,307,supra, and others of the commonly assigned incorporated applications,the thermostat 800 represents an advanced, multi-sensing,microprocessor-controlled intelligent or “learning” thermostat thatprovides a rich combination of processing capabilities, intuitive andvisually pleasing user interfaces, network connectivity, andenergy-saving capabilities (including the presently describedauto-away/auto-arrival algorithms) while at the same time not requiringa so-called “C-wire” from the HVAC system or line power from a householdwall plug, even though such advanced functionalities can require agreater instantaneous power draw than a “power-stealing” option (i.e.,extracting smaller amounts of electrical power from one or more HVACcall relays) can safely provide. By way of example, the head unitmicroprocessor 1302 can draw on the order of 250 mW when awake andprocessing, the LCD module 960 can draw on the order of 250 mW whenactive. Moreover, the Wi-Fi module 1410 can draw 250 mW when active, andneeds to be active on a consistent basis such as at a consistent 2% dutycycle in common scenarios. However, in order to avoid falsely trippingthe HVAC relays for a large number of commercially used HVAC systems,power-stealing circuitry is often limited to power providing capacitieson the order of 100 mW-200 mW, which would not be enough to supply theneeded power for many common scenarios.

The thermostat 800 resolves such issues at least by virtue of the use ofthe rechargeable battery (or equivalently capable onboard power storagemedium) that will recharge during time intervals in which the hardwarepower usage is less than what power stealing can safely provide, andthat will discharge to provide the needed extra electrical power duringtime intervals in which the hardware power usage is greater than whatpower stealing can safely provide. In order to operate in abattery-conscious manner that promotes reduced power usage and extendedservice life of the rechargeable battery, the thermostat 800 is providedwith both (i) a relatively powerful and relatively power-intensive firstprocessor (such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 microprocessor) that iscapable of quickly performing more complex functions such as driving avisually pleasing user interface display and performing variousmathematical learning computations, and (ii) a relatively less powerfuland less power-intensive second processor (such as a Texas InstrumentsMSP430 microcontroller) for performing less intensive tasks, includingdriving and controlling the occupancy sensors. To conserve valuablepower, the first processor is maintained in a “sleep” state for extendedperiods of time and is “woken up” only for occasions in which itscapabilities are needed, whereas the second processor is kept on more orless continuously (although preferably slowing down or disabling certaininternal clocks for brief periodic intervals to conserve power) toperform its relatively low-power tasks. The first and second processorsare mutually configured such that the second processor can “wake” thefirst processor on the occurrence of certain events, which can be termed“wake-on” facilities. These wake-on facilities can be turned on andturned off as part of different functional and/or power-saving goals tobe achieved. For example, a “wake-on-PROX” facility can be provided bywhich the second processor, when detecting a user's hand approaching thethermostat dial by virtue of an active proximity sensor (PROX, such asprovided by a Silicon Labs SI1142 Proximity/Ambient Light Sensor withI2C Interface), will “wake up” the first processor so that it canprovide a visual display to the approaching user and be ready to respondmore rapidly when their hand touches the dial. As another example, a“wake-on-PIR” facility can be provided by which the second processorwill wake up the first processor when detecting motion somewhere in thegeneral vicinity of the thermostat by virtue of a passive infraredmotion sensor (PIR, such as provided by a PerkinElmer DigiPyro PYD 1998dual element pyrodetector). Notably, wake-on-PIR is not synonymous withauto-arrival, as there would need to be N consecutive buckets of sensedPIR activity to invoke auto-arrival, whereas only a single sufficientmotion event can trigger a wake-on-PIR wake-up. Sleep-wake timing andtechniques are further described in PCT/US11/61437.

FIG. 16 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functionalsoftware, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unitmicroprocessor 1402 for achieving its described functionalities. FIG. 17illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functional software,firmware, and/or programming architecture of the back platemicrocontroller 1502 for achieving its described functionalities.

FIG. 18A-18B illustrates in detail how infrared sources interact withslit-like openings in a grille member designed in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. To highlight the interactions,FIG. 18A illustrates grille member 990 with openings 995 and PIR motionsensor 334 positioned behind grille member 990 as it would be in athermostat designed in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In accordance with some implementations, openings 995 areslit-like along a substantially horizontal direction as illustrated.Infrared sources may sweep across a continuous wide range of angles suchas by the lateral movement an occupant walking across a room or otherarea. To represent this range, FIG. 18A has arrows representing a leftinfrared source 1802, a center infrared source 1806 and a right infraredsource 1804. For example, an occupant walking across a room in front ofa thermostat with grille member 990 may first emit radiation appearingas a left infrared source 1802 then gradually a center infrared source1806 and then gradually a right infrared source 1804.

As FIG. 18A shows schematically, the slit-like openings 995 of grillemember 990 allow a wide range of infrared sources to pass throughtowards PIR motion sensor 334. Both left infrared source 1802 and rightinfrared source 1804 may pass along the elongated horizontal openings995 as indicated by the arrows of these sources. Center infrared source1806 also passes through openings 995 in grille member 990 as allowed bythe vertical height of one or more of the elongated slits. It thereforecan also be appreciated that the openings 995 from grille member 990having a slit-like shape to allow the PIR motion sensor 334 to detectthe radiation emitted by an occupant moving laterally across awide-range of angles near the thermostat. For example, grille member 990can detect an occupant moving on the left side of grille member 990 as aleft infrared source 1802 or on the right side of grille member 990 as aright infrared source 1804. A person moving approximately in the centerof grille member 990 would appear as a center infrared source 1806 andalso pass through openings 995 towards PIR motion sensor 334. Indeed,grille member 990 would also pass many other infrared sources at anglesbetween left infrared source 1802, center infrared source 1806 and rightinfrared source 1804 through openings 995 towards PIR motion sensor 334.

FIG. 18B illustrates the effect of an occupant moving past a PIR motionsensor in a thermostat covered by a grille member of the presentinvention. The PIR motion sensor (not shown in FIG. 18B) sits behindgrille member 990 much like PIR motion sensor 334 in FIG. 18A. The PIRmotion sensor is capable of detecting a lateral change of radiation 1810caused by a laterally moving source of infrared radiation such as aperson walking in a room. To make the occupancy detector work properly,these lateral changes in radiation 1810 caused by the occupant must bedistinguished from overall changes in the infrared radiation caused bysunlight and ambient heat sometimes referred to as the common-modesignal.

In some implementations, the PIR motion sensor has a pair ofdifferential sensing elements setup with opposing polarity to reject thecommon-mode signal produced by radiation 1810. When occupant 1808 is notpresent or not moving, sudden overall changes in radiation 1810 causedby sunlight, heat or vibration produce complimentary signals from thepair of differential sensing elements simultaneously. The complimentarysignals from the pair of differential sensing elements immediatelycancel out these false-positive or common-mode signals.

In comparison, an occupant 1808 moving laterally in the direction of thearrows in FIG. 18B across a room or other space near thermostat 800creates a local change in radiation 1810. The local change in radiation1810 is detected and not canceled out with the common-mode signalportion of radiation 1810 as the sensing elements are arranged along ahorizontal axis and triggered sequentially, not simultaneously, by thelateral movement. Because openings 995 in grille member 990 areslit-like, radiation 1810 enters thermostat 800 and is detected by PIRmotion sensor whether the occupant 1808 is moving laterally from the farright, far left or laterally near the center area near the thermostat.

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate altering the openings of a grille member alonga vertical distance to change the sensitivity of a PIR motion sensor inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. Generally, the PIRmotion sensor's sensitivity to the height of occupants can be changed byvarying the vertical span of the openings in a grille member. Inaccordance with some implementations, a grille member 1902 illustratedin FIG. 19A is located on a forward-facing surface of the thermostat1910 mounted on a wall. Thermostat 1910 is partially shown in FIG. 19Bfor convenience yet is similar to thermostat 800 described andillustrated above. Grille member 1902 in FIG. 19A has several rows ofopenings 1906, each having a slit-like shape and organized along avertical span 1904. Accordingly, a PIR motion sensor (not shown in FIGS.19A-19D) behind grille member 1902 used with thermostat 1910 in FIG. 19Band has an angle of sensitivity 808 or θ₁. If an occupant's height iswithin the angle of sensitivity 1908 then the PIR motion sensor inthermostat 1910 in FIG. 19B should be able to detect the radiationemitted from the occupant's lateral movement. Conversely, an occupantwhose height falls below the angle of sensitivity 1908, is not likely tobe detected by the PIR motion sensor in thermostat 1910 in FIG. 19B.

In accordance with an alternate implementation, sensitivity to heightmay be decreased as illustrated in FIG. 19C by reducing the number ofrows or openings across the vertical span. Compared with grille member1902, the number of rows of openings 1916 in grille member 1912illustrated in FIG. 19C are fewer in number than the rows of openings1906. Moreover, openings 1916 in grille member 1912 are spread over avertical span 1914 that is both narrower and positioned higher than thevertical span 1904 in the grille member 1902. Consequently, using thegrille member 1912 in the thermostat 1910 in FIG. 19D results in anarrower angle of sensitivity 1918 or θ₂ compared with the angle ofsensitivity 1908 or θ₁ previously described. F or example, a PIR motionsensor behind the grille member 1912 on the thermostat 1910 in FIG. 19Dwill not detect occupants whose height is outside the angle ofsensitivity 1918 or θ₂. As a result, the same occupants detected bythermostat 1910 with the grille member 1902 might not be tall enough tobe detected by the thermostat 1910 using the grille member 1912.Depending on the installation, it may be more desirable to use a grillemember more like grille member 1912 in order to limit detection ofoccupants that are taller in height. To detect occupants that may beshorter in height, use of grille member 1902 in thermostat 1910 may bemore desirable.

Since FIGS. 19A-19D are meant to be illustrative, the shape, number,size, organization and location of openings in grille member 1902 and1912 are but exemplary and used for comparison purposes. Indeed, thedesigns of grille members of the present invention should not be limitedby specific sizes, number of openings, specific shapes or the absoluteor relative positions of these or other features.

In some implementations, different grille members may be manufacturedwith a different number of openings having slit-like dimensions arrangedin one or more rows. For example, a person installing thermostat 1910may select and install different grille members depending on the desiredsensitivity to the heights of the occupants and the location of thethermostat 1910 on a wall or other location. In other implementations,the installer may use a mask member attached to the back openings in thegrille member to modify the openings and adjust the sensitivity toheight. Instead of manufacturing different grille members, one grillemember can be altered using the mask member to cover or uncover thedesired number of openings in the grille member. For example, the maskmember may be plastic or metal fittings with slit-like dimensionsapplied to the backside of grille member 1902 that fill one or more ofopenings 1906. These fittings of the mask member may be finished in thesame tone or color as the surface of grille member 1902 in order toblend into the overall appearance of the grille member 1902.Accordingly, the sensitivity to the height of occupants may be varieddepending on the coverage by the mask member of the substantiallyhorizontal slit-like openings used to pass the emitted radiation to thereceiving surface of the PIR motion sensor.

Referring to FIG. 20, a flow chart diagram outlines the operationsassociated with integrating sensor capabilities with a thermostat andgrille member in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Insome implementations, the integration operations include providing ahousing for the thermostat designed to provide an attractive and durableconfiguration for one or more integrated sensors (2002). The thermostatis enclosed by a housing with a forward-facing surface for a cover andgrille member in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Theone or more integrated sensors protected by the housing may include anoccupancy sensor such as a PIR motion detector, a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, a proximity sensor or other sensors that might beuseful in operating a thermostat. Placing these and other sensors insidethe housing protects them from being accidentally jarred or brokenduring manufacture, shipping, installation or use. Because sensors areprotected inside the housing, they are more likely to retain theircalibration and provide accurate measurement results for the thermostat.

Additionally, the integration operations may also provide a passiveinfrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing and used tosense occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat (2004). In someimplementations, the PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surfaceable to detect the radiation emitted towards the forward-facing surfaceof the housing by the lateral movement of a nearby occupant. Occupancyinformation detected by the PIR motion sensor may be used by thethermostat to better adjust heating or cooling operations of an HVAC inan enclosure such as a residential house. In some implementations, athermostat may use the occupancy information to turn the HVAC on whenoccupancy is detected and off when no occupancy is detected by the PIRmotion sensor. In alternate implementations, the thermostat may use theoccupancy information generated by the PIR motion sensor as part of aheuristic that learns when an enclosure is likely to be occupied orunoccupied and anticipates the heating or cooling requirements. Thisheuristic may use real-time and historic geographic weather trends andother factors combined with learned occupancy patterns to determine whenthe enclosure needs cooling or heating. A temperature sensor disposedinside the housing may also be provided to detect the ambienttemperature in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor andtemperature sensor may be similar to PIR motion sensor 334 andtemperature sensor 330 respectively as previously described.

Integration operations in accordance with the present invention mayfurther attach a grille member along a forward-facing surface of thehousing and placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIRmotion sensor (2006). As previously described, the grille member maysubstantially conceal and protects the PIR motion sensor disposed insidethe housing. Concealing the PIR motion sensor promotes a visuallypleasing quality of the thermostat as well as protects the PIR motionsensor during manufacture, shipment, installation and use. In someimplementations, the grille member may be similar to grille member 990.Accordingly, the grille member may be manufactured from one or morematerials selected from a set of materials including: metal, plastic,glass, carbon-composite, metallic-carbon composite and metallic alloy.The grille member may be a thermally conductive material such as a metalor metal alloy and may be thermally coupled to the temperature sensoralso disposed inside the housing of the thermostat. In someimplementations, thermally coupling the temperature sensor to the grillemember assists with the temperature sensors ability to measure anambient temperature of air measured outside of the housing rather thaninside of the housing.

Provided according to one preferred embodiment is a self-qualificationalgorithm by which a thermostat determines whether it can, or cannot,reliably go into an auto-away state to save energy, i.e., whether it has“sensor confidence” for its PIR activity. For one preferred embodiment,the auto-away facility is disabled for a predetermined period such as 7days after device startup (i.e., initial installation or factory reset).On days 5, 6, and 7 from startup (or other empirically predeterminedsuitable sample time period), the PIR activity is tracked by discretesequential “time buckets” of activity, such as 5-minute buckets, where abucket is either empty (if no occupancy event is sensed in thatinterval) or full (if one or more occupancy events is sensed in thatinterval). Out of the total number of buckets for that time period(24×12×3=864 for 5-minute buckets), if there is greater than apredetermined threshold percentage of buckets that are full, then“sensor confidence” is established, and if there is less than thatpercentage of full buckets, then there is no sensor confidenceestablished. The predetermined threshold can be empirically determinedfor a particular model, version, or setting of the thermostat. In oneexample, it has been found that 3.5% is a suitable threshold, i.e., ifthere are 30 or more full buckets for the three-day sample, then “sensorconfidence” is established, although this will vary for differentdevices models and settings.

Provided according to another preferred embodiment is a method for theautomated computation of an optimal threshold value for the activeproximity detector (PROX) of the thermostat 1800, by virtue ofadditional occupancy information provided by its PIR sensor. In order toconserve power and extend the lifetime of the LCD display and therechargeable battery, as well as for aesthetic advantages in preventingthe thermostat from acting as an unwanted nightlight, the PROX detectoris integrated into the thermostat 1800 and polled and controlled by theback plate microcontroller (hereinafter “BPμC”) on a consistent basis todetect the close proximity of a user, the LCD display being activatedonly if there is a walk-up user detected and remaining dark otherwise.Operationally, the PROX is polled by the BPμC at regular intervals, suchas every 1/60th of a second, and a PROX signal comprising a DC-removedversion of the PROX readings (to obviate the effects of changes inambient lighting) is generated by the BPμC and compared to a thresholdvalue, termed herein a “PROX threshold”. If the PROX signal is greaterthan the PROX threshold, the BPμC wakes up the head unit microprocessor(“hereinafter “HUμP”), which then activates the LCD display. It isdesirable for the PROX threshold to be judiciously chosen such that (i)the PROX facility is not overly sensitive to noise and backgroundactivity, which would lead to over-triggering of the PROX andunnecessary waking of the power-intensive HUμP and LCD display, but that(ii) the PROX is not overly insensitive such that the quality of theuser experience in walk-up thermostat use will suffer (because the userneeds to make unnatural motion, for example, such as waving their hand,to wake up the unit).

According to one preferred embodiment, the PROX threshold is recomputedat regular intervals (or alternatively at irregular intervals coincidentwith other HUμP activity) by the HUμP based on a recent history of PROXsignal readings, wherein PIR data is included as a basis for selectingthe historical time intervals over which the PROX signal history isprocessed. It has been found that the best PROX thresholds arecalculated for sample periods in which the noise in the PROX signal isdue to “natural” background noise in the room (such as household lamps),rather than when the PROX signal is cluttered with occupant activitythat is occurring in the room which, generally speaking, can cause thedetermined PROX threshold to be higher than optimal, or otherwisesub-optimal. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the HUμP keeps arecent historical record of both PIR activity (which it is collectinganyway for the auto-away facility) as well as PROX signal readings, andthen periodically computes a PROX threshold from the recent historicalPROX data, wherein any periods of PIR-sensed occupant activity areeliminated from the PROX data sample prior to computation of the PROXthreshold. In this way, a more reliable and suitably sensitive, but notoverly sensitive, PROX threshold is determined. For one embodiment, theBPμC keeps one sample of the PROX signal data for every 5 minutes, andtransfers that data to the HUμP each time the HUμP is woken up. For oneembodiment, the HUμP keeps at least 24 hours of the PROX signal datathat is received from the BPμC, and recomputes the PROX threshold atregular 24 hour intervals based on the most recent 24 hours of PROX data(together with a corresponding 24 hours of PIR-sensed occupancy data,such as the above-described auto-away “buckets” of activity). Foranother embodiment, the PROX threshold is recomputed by the HUμP everytime it is about to enter into a sleep state. The recomputed PROXthreshold is transferred to the BPμC, which then uses that new PROXthreshold in determining whether a PROX event has occurred. In otherpreferred embodiments, the thermostat is further configured to harnessthe available ALS (ambient light sensor) data to generate an eventbetter PROX threshold, since it is known that ambient light can add tothe background PROX signal noise as well as to the DC value of the PROXreadings.

While examples and implementations have been described, they should notserve to limit any aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Indeed, while the occupancy sensor positioned behind thegrille member is characterized in one or more embodiments supra as beinga PIR sensor, for which the above-described configurations areparticularly advantageous, the scope of the present teachings is not solimited. Moreover, it is to be appreciated that while the grille memberis characterized in one or more embodiments supra as being generallyforward-facing, which is useful for more common scenarios in which thethermostat is mounted on a wall at a moderate height above the floorthat makes it easy to reach, the scope of the present teachings is notso limited. By way of example, there is provided in some furtherembodiments a thermostat, comprising a housing including a region ofinterest-facing surface (ROI-facing surface), where the ROI correspondsto the relevant area or volume of the house (or other enclosure) forwhich occupancy or occupancy-related events are to be sensed. Thethermostat further includes an occupancy sensor disposed inside thehousing and used to sense occupancy in the ROI, the occupancy sensorhaving at least one receiving surface and being able to detect thepresence and/or movement of the occupant in the ROI. The thermostatfurther includes a grille member having one or more openings andincluded along the ROI-facing surface of the housing and placed over theone or more receiving surfaces of the occupancy sensor thatsubstantially conceals and protects the occupancy sensor disposed insidethe housing, whereby the concealment of the occupancy sensor by thegrille member promotes a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat yetpermits the occupancy sensor to effectively detect the presence and/ormovement of the occupant in the ROI. The ROI-facing surface can be aforward-facing surface for a conventional wall-mounted location, or canbe a downward-facing surface (including a diagonally-outward downwardangle) for a mounting location that is above a doorway, for example,such that persons going in and out of the room are sensed. The occupancysensor can include, for example, one or more of a PIR sensor, anactively transmitting proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and anultrasound sensor. In the case of a PIR sensor and a mounting locationover the doorway, the slotted openings in the grille member can beoriented in a direction normal to the door opening, such that movementtoward and away from the door is more optimally sensed. It is to befurther appreciated that the term thermostat, as used hereinabove andhereinbelow, can include thermostats having direct control wires to anHVAC system, and can further include thermostats that do not connectdirectly with the HVAC system, but that sense an ambient temperature atone location in an enclosure and cooperatively communicate by wired orwireless data connections with a separate thermostat unit locatedelsewhere in the enclosure, wherein the separate thermostat unit doeshave direct control wires to the HVAC system. By way of further example,the front face of the thermostat 100/800 is set forth in one or moreembodiments supra as being a solid lens that tends to magnify theinformation being displayed in the underlying electronic display. Thesolid lens element furthermore provides a hard, solid surface thatallows the user to treat the overall cap-like structure as a single,unitary input button for providing the inward click in many embodiments,such that the user does not need to press only on the outer ring but canalso press anywhere on the interior as well to achieve an inward clickinput. Notably, however, the scope of the present teachings is not solimited. In alternative embodiments, this thicker lens to be omitted infavor of a thinner covering and the underlying electronic display cancomprise a touch screen display. to allow a user to directly interactwith the monitor. In other alternative embodiments, the outer ring isitself a touch screen or touch-sensitive surface, such that it may bevirtually rotated by a user's finger movement. The display within thering can include or omit touch-detection capabilities without departingfrom the scope of the present teachings. In one instance, an outer ringmay be a physically rotatable ring, and a display presented in a middleaperture inside the ring may be a touch screen such that, for example,the user may select a type of variable to be set using the touch-screendisplay and then select a particular value for the variable using theouter ring. By way of further example, while rotation of the outer ringof the thermostat 100/800 is set forth in one or more embodiments supraas being detected optically based on a textured inner surface of thering (using technology similar to that using in optical mice), the scopeof the present teachings is not so limited. For example, the outer ringmay be coupled to a disk, the disk having a plurality of holes, whosemovement can be detected optically by optical sources and detectorsplaced on opposite sides. As another example, the outer ring may includea magnet at a fixed location. By detecting the angular location of themagnet over time (e.g., using fixed sensors), a mechanical rotation ofthe ring may be determined. As another example, the outer ring mayinclude a plurality of mechanical catches, and a fixed switch or othermechanical sensor may count a number of contacts with the mechanicalcatches and estimate the mechanical rotation of the ring. By way offurther example, while there are indeed many advantages of using anouter ring that is a continuous without fiducial markers, it is notnecessarily outside the scope of the present teachings for the outerring to be provided with some fiducial markers, or for the outer ring tobe replaced by some other arc-shaped or linear component havingequivalent functionality and advantages. Accordingly, the invention isnot limited to the above-described implementations, but instead isdefined by the appended claims in light of their full scope ofequivalents.

Numerous specific details are included herein to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various implementations of the present invention.Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these variousimplementations of the present invention are illustrative only and arenot intended to be limiting in any way. Other implementations of thepresent invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilledpersons having the benefit of this disclosure.

In addition, for clarity purposes, not all of the routine features ofthe implementations described herein are shown or described. One ofordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, numerousimplementation-specific decisions may be required to achieve specificdesign objectives. These design objectives will vary from oneimplementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover,it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complexand time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine engineeringundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

1. A thermostat comprising: a housing; a ring-shaped user-interfacecomponent configured to track a rotational input motion of a user; aprocessing system disposed within the housing and coupled to thering-shaped user interface component, the processing system beingconfigured to dynamically identify a setpoint temperature value based onthe tracked rotational input motion, the processing system being furtherconfigured to be in operative communication with one or more temperaturesensors for receiving an ambient air temperature, the processing systembeing still further configured to be in operative communication with aheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to control theHVAC system based at least in part on a comparison of the measuredambient temperature and the setpoint temperature value; and anelectronic display coupled to the processing system and configured todynamically display information representative of the identifiedsetpoint temperature value; and wherein said ring-shaped user-interfacecomponent is further configured to be inwardly pressable by the useralong a direction of an axis of rotation of the rotational input motion;wherein said processing system, said electronic display, and saidring-shaped user interface component are collectively configured suchthat (i) an interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to theuser, and (ii) a user navigation within the interactive thermostatmenuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational inputmotions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interfacecomponent.
 2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein: said electronicdisplay is disposed along a front face of the thermostat housing; saidring-shaped user interface component comprises a mechanically rotatablering that substantially surrounds the electronic display; and saidmechanically rotatable ring and said housing are mutually configuredsuch that said mechanically rotatable ring moves inwardly along saiddirection of said axis of rotation when inwardly pressed.
 3. Thethermostat of claim 2, wherein said mechanically rotatable ring and saidhousing are mutually configured such that a tactile clicking feedback isprovided when said mechanically rotatable ring is inwardly pressed. 4.The thermostat of claim 3, further comprising an audio output devicecoupled to said processing system, the thermostat being configured tooutput synthesized audible ticks through said audio output device incorrespondence with user rotation of said mechanically rotatable ring.5. The thermostat of claim 2, wherein said thermostat housing isgenerally disk-like in shape with said front face thereof beingcircular, and wherein said mechanically rotatable ring is generallycoincident with an outer lateral periphery of said disk-like shape. 6.The thermostat of claim 1 further comprising: the one or moretemperature sensors; and a plurality of HVAC wire connectors coupled tothe processing system, the processing system being configured to send atleast one control signal through the HVAC wire connectors to the HVACsystem.
 7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein said thermostat isconfigured such that said rotational input motions and said inwardpressings of the ring-shaped user-interface component represent the solephysical user inputs to said thermostat.
 8. A method for control of anHVAC system by a thermostat, the thermostat comprising a housing, aring-shaped user-interface component, a processing system, and anelectronic display, the method comprising: accessing an ambient airtemperature measured by one or more temperature sensors; detecting andtracking rotational movements of the ring-shaped user-interfacecomponent to track at least one rotational input motion of a user;dynamically identifying a setpoint temperature value based on thetracked rotational input motion; dynamically displaying informationrepresentative of the identified setpoint temperature value on theelectronic display; controlling the HVAC system based at least in parton a comparison of the measured ambient air temperature and the setpointtemperature value; providing the user with an interactive thermostatmenuing system on said electronic display, comprising providing usernavigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system by virtue ofrespective rotational input motions and inward pressings of thering-shaped user interface component, the inward pressings being along adirection of an axis of rotation of said tracked rotational movements ofthe ring-shaped user-interface component.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein: said electronic display is disposed along a front face of thethermostat housing; said ring-shaped user interface component comprisesa mechanically rotatable ring that substantially surrounds theelectronic display; and said mechanically rotatable ring and saidhousing are mutually configured such that said mechanically rotatablering moves inwardly along said direction of said axis of rotation wheninwardly pressed.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said mechanicallyrotatable ring and said housing are mutually configured such that atactile clicking feedback is provided when said mechanically rotatablering is inwardly pressed.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein saidthermostat further comprises an audio output device coupled to saidprocessing system, the thermostat being configured to output synthesizedaudible ticks through said audio output device in correspondence withuser rotation of said mechanically rotatable ring.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein said thermostat housing is generally disk-like in shapewith said front face thereof being circular, and wherein saidmechanically rotatable ring is generally coincident with an outerlateral periphery of said disk-like shape.
 13. The method of claim 8further comprising: measuring the ambient air temperature using the oneor more temperature sensors, wherein the thermostat comprises the one ormore temperature sensors and a plurality of HVAC wire connectors,wherein controlling the HVAC system comprises sending at least onecontrol signal through HVAC wire connectors, and wherein the interactivethermostat menuing system is provided in response to detecting an inwardpressing of the ring-shaped user-interface component by the user. 14.The method of claim 8, wherein said thermostat is configured such thatsaid rotational input motions and said inward pressings of thering-shaped user-interface component represent the sole physical userinputs to said thermostat.
 15. A thermostat comprising: a disk-likehousing including a circular front face; an electronic display centrallydisposed on the front face; an annular ring member disposed around thecentrally disposed electronic display, said annular ring member and saidhousing being mutually configured such that (i) said annular ring memberis rotatable around a front-to-back axis of the thermostat, and (ii)said annular ring member is inwardly pressable along a direction of thefront-to-back axis; a processing system disposed within the housing andcoupled to the annular ring member; said processing system beingconfigured and programmed to dynamically alter a setpoint temperaturevalue based on a user rotation of the annular ring member; saidprocessing system being further configured to be in operativecommunication with one or more temperature sensors for receiving anambient air temperature, said processing system being still furtherconfigured to be in operative communication with an HVAC system tocontrol the HVAC system based at least in part on a comparison of themeasured ambient temperature and the setpoint temperature value; saidprocessing system being further configured and programmed to provide aninteractive thermostat menuing system on said electronic display; andsaid processing system being further configured and programmed toprovide user navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing systembased on rotation of the annular ring member by the user and inwardpressing of the annular ring member by the user.
 16. The thermostat ofclaim 15, wherein: said annular ring member comprises a mechanicallyrotatable ring that substantially surrounds the electronic display; andsaid mechanically rotatable ring and said housing are mutuallyconfigured such that said mechanically rotatable ring moves inwardlyalong said front-to-back axis when inwardly pressed.
 17. The thermostatof claim 16, wherein said mechanically rotatable ring and said housingare mutually configured such that a tactile clicking feedback isprovided when said mechanically rotatable ring is inwardly pressed. 18.The thermostat of claim 17, further comprising an audio output devicecoupled to said processing system, the thermostat being configured tooutput synthesized audible ticks through said audio output device incorrespondence with user rotation of said mechanically rotatable ring.19. The thermostat of claim 16 further comprising: the one or moretemperature sensors, wherein said processing system is configured andprogrammed to send at least one control signal to the HVAC system basedat least in part on the comparison of the measured ambient airtemperature and the setpoint temperature value.
 20. The thermostat ofclaim 15, wherein said thermostat is configured such that rotationalinput motions and inward pressings of the annular ring member representthe sole physical user inputs to said thermostat.